Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, has identified Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki as the top three areas with the highest crime rates in Lagos State.
Speaking during a ministerial press briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second-term anniversary, Pedro cited data from the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS) to highlight growing concerns about public safety in these major urban centres.
“Between January 2024 and May 2025, the top three crime locations in Lagos State were Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki,” he stated.
According to Pedro, a total of 74,962 criminal cases were recorded across the state from 2018 to May 2025, signaling an urgent need to address security challenges.
Lagos Correctional Facilities Overcrowded
The Commissioner expressed concern over the mounting pressure on Lagos State’s correctional facilities, disclosing that as of May 2025, 9,096 inmates were being held—far exceeding the facilities’ designed capacity.
LCIS Enhances Criminal Justice System
Pedro described the LCIS as a groundbreaking digital platform designed to automate and streamline criminal justice processes. The system captures biometric data, personal details, and offence records of suspects, covering both magistrate and high court cases involving individuals in custody or on bail.
Between January 2024 and May 2025, over 10,000 cases and suspects were processed through the LCIS. Notably, 64% of convictions during this period were achieved via plea bargain arrangements.
Interestingly, the report also showed that the majority of suspects processed were non-indigenes, particularly from Ogun and Oyo States.
Citizens’ Rights and Legal Support
In addressing social disorder and public grievances, the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights received 6,601 petitions within the review period. Of these, 4,443 were resolved, 1,882 remain pending, and 285 were referred to other government bodies.
Pedro also noted that financial support for victims and complainants led to the recovery of N7.3 million, with N3 million awarded by court judgments.
Public Legal Advisory and Reform Initiatives
As part of its broader justice reform efforts, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice launched a Public Advisory Centre to offer free legal guidance and support to residents seeking justice or help with government services.
Pedro concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to using technology and legal innovation to strengthen the justice system and build greater public trust in law enforcement and judicial processes.