The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), a prominent peace-building think tank, has raised serious concerns over a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which claims that Nigeria experienced N2.23 trillion in ransom payments within one year.
The NBS report also claimed that 51.89 million crimes were reported, and 615,000 deaths were recorded within a single year.
In a press statement Sunday, signed by its executive director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro described the figures as “practically impossible” and called on the NBS to clarify its methodology and data sources.
“If errors are found, the bureau should retract the report and issue a public apology,” Hamza said.
The organisation also criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) for its reported invasion of the NBS office and arrest of its leadership, stating that accountability should be achieved through investigation, not intimidation.
It called for an independent review of the report by statisticians, security experts, and other stakeholders to verify the NBS’s claims.
“The government should invest in building the NBS’s capacity to collaborate effectively with agencies like the police and health institutions for reliable data collection.
“PeacePro reiterated that accurate, credible data is critical for Nigeria’s development and urged all stakeholders to prioritise transparency and accountability. While the NBS plays a vital role in shaping national policy, reports like these must be thoroughly validated to prevent misinformation and maintain public trust,” it added.