Nigeria Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Nigeria
Nigeria recorded 15.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Nigeria #27 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 51% over the past decade (from 32.4 in 2016). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Nigeria at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
15.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#169 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (2016-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 51% over the past decade (from 32.4 in 2016). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Nigeria Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Nigeria, the homicide rate for men is 3.7× higher than the rate for women — 24.4 vs 6.5 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Nigeria has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
1,486(2024)
Military Spending
0.6% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Nigeria:
There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime , terrorism , unrest , kidnapping , and inconsistent availability of health care services . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Nigeria
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated January 24, 2024).
Terrorism
: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists Places of worship Schools Parks Shopping malls and markets Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) Please see our most recent Travel Advisory for more details. For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Crime
: Muggings, assaults, burglaries, car-jackings, rape, kidnappings, and extortion occur regularly. Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly and often do not have the resources to provide investigative support to victims. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens beyond Abuja and Lagos and their immediate surrounding areas. U.S. government employees may be subject to travel constraints as security conditions warrant.
Demonstrations
occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams
: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information. Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Nigeria. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include: Romance/online dating Money transfers Contracts with promises of large commissions Inheritance notices Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud
Victims of Crime
: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or Consulate General in Lagos for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 112, and contact the Embassy at +(234)(9)461-4328 or Consulate General at +(234)(1) 460-3400. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. Justice in Nigeria may be uneven. Many crimes go unsolved. Others may not be prosecuted to a successful conclusion for the victim. See our webpage on help for U.S. citizen victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care. Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. Contact relatives or friends with your written consent. Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion. Provide a list of local attorneys.
Domestic Violence
: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
Tourism
: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. Even within major cities, the limited number of first responders and extreme traffic congestion can cause lengthy delays in response time. Emergency services comparable to those in the United States or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and unsafe for transfusion.
Maritime Security
: Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue to trend upwards. Pirates/armed groups operating in the region typically carry out attacks on vessels using automatic weapons. Attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and robbery of crew, passengers, and ship’s property continue to be common occurrences.
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Nigeria Population & Demographics
Population of 232,679,478, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nigeria safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Nigeria at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Nigeria?
Nigeria has an intentional homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #27 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Nigeria?
Nigeria is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Nigeria compare to other countries?
Nigeria's homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Africa average of 7.6.