The increase in phone snatching and the need to curb the menace

Walking along the Marina or other major streets in Lagos — and indeed in many Nigerian cities — has become risky, especially if you are on a phone call. Thieves can appear out of nowhere, snatch your phone, and disappear in seconds. Some operate on motorbikes that speed off immediately, while others on foot even taunt victims to chase them into crowded markets or shops.

The crime has now evolved into a disturbing trend known as “phone kidnapping,” where the thieves answer your calls and demand a ransom before returning the device.

Phone snatching has quietly grown into one of the most persistent urban crimes of our time, and Nigeria is now firmly in its grip. In Lagos, the menace has become so common that commuters clutch their devices with a mix of fear and resignation, while in Kano, authorities have gone as far as setting up a special task force to confront the scourge. Many people snickered when the Kano State Government established its specialised Anti-Phone Snatching Task Force to combat the rising cases of phone theft in the state. The government trained and deployed the first batch of 380 anti-phone snatching marshals to combat phone theft and other street crimes. This number was intended to increase to 600 volunteers, and they are referred to as the Special Anti-phone Snatching and VIP Protection Guards. What was once dismissed as petty theft has evolved into a violent, organised phenomenon that undermines public safety and erodes trust in the ability of the government to protect citizens.

The problem is not uniquely Nigerian. London, often celebrated as a global financial capital, has recently been described as the “capital of phone snatching,” with more than 116,000 mobile phones reported stolen in 2024 — an astonishing figure that translates to one theft every six minutes. The global scale of the crisis underscores the urgency of adopting world-class strategies to confront it head-on.

The reasons for the rise of phone snatching are not difficult to trace. Smartphones have become the most valuable everyday possession for millions of people. They are small, portable, and command high resale value in both formal and informal markets.

In Nigeria, economic pressures and high youth unemployment have created fertile ground for petty crime, while weak enforcement and overstretched police resources mean that offenders often act with impunity. In Lagos, raids have revealed that phone snatching is frequently linked to gangs and drug dens, with stolen devices funnelled into resale networks within hours. The absence of widespread technological safeguards, such as IMEI blocking or kill-switch features, makes the crime even more attractive to perpetrators. The result is a vicious cycle in which citizens lose their phones, criminals profit, and the state loses credibility.

Other cities around the world have grappled with similar challenges and their responses offer valuable lessons. In London, the Metropolitan Police launched “Operation Venice,” targeting moped gangs who snatch phones in broad daylight. Officers deploy decoy phones, rapid-response units, and public awareness campaigns to disrupt the trade.

In San Francisco, authorities worked with mobile carriers to implement kill-switch technology, allowing stolen phones to be remotely disabled. This innovation drastically reduced the re-sale value of stolen devices and led to a sharp decline in thefts. Singapore has leaned heavily on preventive policing, combining community engagement with extensive CCTV coverage and swift prosecution. In Latin America, countries like Colombia and Mexico have mandated that stolen phones be blocked from networks using their IMEI numbers, rendering them useless to thieves. These examples demonstrate that a mix of technology, enforcement, and public awareness is essential to tackling the problem.

Nigeria’s response has so far been piecemeal. The special task force in Kano is an encouraging sign, but without a national strategy, criminals simply migrate from one city to another, leaving hotspots like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt vulnerable. What is needed is a coordinated approach that combines law enforcement, technology, and community engagement.

A national IMEI blocking system would be a powerful deterrent, making stolen phones worthless in re-sale markets. Specialised anti-snatching units, modelled on the Kano experience, should be expanded nationwide, with officers trained in rapid response and undercover operations. Public awareness campaigns must educate citizens on how to secure their devices, avoid risky behaviours, and report thefts promptly. Partnerships with global tech firms could bring kill-switch features to Nigerian consumers, while local startups could develop affordable tracking and alert systems. Swift justice, through fast-track courts and meaningful penalties, would send a strong message to offenders. Urban design improvements, such as better street lighting and CCTV coverage, would reduce opportunities for crime in high-risk areas.

The human cost of phone snatching is profound. Victims lose not just their devices but also critical personal data, financial access, and professional contacts. In some cases, resistance leads to violence, injuries, or even death. The psychological toll of fear, anxiety, and loss of trust in public spaces erodes the quality of urban life. For young Nigerians, the normalisation of phone snatching as a “hustle” is particularly troubling. It signals a breakdown in social values and a dangerous acceptance of crime as a livelihood. Addressing this requires not only policing but also economic empowerment, education, and social support to steer vulnerable youth away from crime.

Phone snatching is more than a nuisance; it is a threat to urban security, economic productivity, and social trust. Nigeria cannot afford to treat it lightly. The experiences of London, San Francisco, Singapore, and Latin America show that solutions that combine technology, enforcement, and public awareness exist. By establishing task forces, implementing IMEI blocking, and engaging communities, Nigeria can turn the tide against this epidemic. The time to act is now. If left unchecked, phone snatching will continue to undermine the safety of Nigerian cities and erode confidence in governance. But with decisive leadership and global best practices, Nigeria can reclaim its streets and restore a sense of security to its citizens. (BusinessDay)