Ikeja, Island, Lekki identified as top crime hotspots in Lagos

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Government has identified Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki as the top three areas with the highest incidence of crime in the state, according to new data released by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), revealed the statistics on Wednesday during a ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.

Citing figures from the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS), Pedro noted that between January 2024 and May 2025, the three areas recorded the highest criminal activities, raising public safety concerns in the state’s key urban centres.

He disclosed that the LCIS documented 74,962 criminal cases and inmates from 2018 to May 2025. As of May 2025, the state’s correctional facilities held 9,096 inmates—106 percent above their intended capacity.

Pedro described LCIS as a digital platform that automates criminal justice processes and stores data on all pending criminal cases, including biometric and offence records for defendants either in custody or on bail.

Between January 2024 and May 2025 alone, over 10,000 cases were processed through the LCIS, with 64 percent of convictions achieved via plea bargains. He also noted a significant proportion of suspects were from Ogun and Oyo states.

On social justice matters, the Directorate of Citizen Rights received 6,601 petitions during the same period. Of these, 4,443 were resolved, 1,882 are pending, and 285 were referred to other agencies.

The ministry also recovered N7.3 million on behalf of complainants, including N3 million awarded through court rulings. As part of its ongoing reform efforts, it has launched a Public Advisory Centre to offer free legal advice to Lagos residents.