Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki have been identified as the top three crime hotspots in Lagos State, according to new data from the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS).
The disclosure was made by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), during a ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
“From January 2024 to May 2025, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki recorded the highest rates of criminal activity in the state,” Pedro said, citing LCIS statistics.
He noted that the trend signals a growing threat to public safety in the state’s key urban and commercial centres.
The Attorney-General also revealed that Lagos has recorded 74,962 criminal cases and inmate profiles since 2018 — a figure that underscores the pressure on the state’s justice and correctional systems.
“As of May 2025, correctional centres in Lagos are running at 106 per cent above capacity, with 9,096 inmates in custody — far beyond what the infrastructure was designed to handle,” he said.
Pedro described the LCIS as a game-changer in criminal justice reform, offering a centralised digital database for all criminal cases, with biometric data, personal information, and offence records of suspects.
Rising Crime, Overflowing Prisons
Between January 2024 and May 2025 alone, over 10,000 suspects were processed through the LCIS, with 64 per cent of convictions secured via plea bargains.
The system also revealed a growing influx of suspects from Ogun and Oyo States, who now outnumber those from other parts of Nigeria.
On civil matters, the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights handled 6,601 petitions within the same period. Of these, 4,443 were successfully resolved, 1,882 remain pending, and 285 were referred to other relevant agencies.
Pedro noted that the Ministry recovered ₦7.3 million on behalf of petitioners — ₦3 million of which came through court-awarded compensation.
Children at Risk: Abuse and Rescue Operations
Addressing domestic and sexual abuse, Pedro said the Ministry handled 213 cases of child neglect, 272 cases of physical abuse, and 147 of child sexual abuse.
Fifty-seven children were rescued from abusive homes and placed in shelters, thanks to collaboration between the Ministry and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
As part of broader reforms, the Justice Ministry has launched a Public Advisory Centre to provide free legal assistance and information to Lagos residents.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment, Pedro pledged continued investment in legal tech and innovation to boost public confidence and justice delivery in Lagos State.
