Lagos is 8the most dangerous city in Africa

• S African cities lead in violence and corruption

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, has been ranked the eighth most dangerous city in the Africa where about three cities in South Africa alone form the worst places to be on the continent.

The ranking of crime profile of cities in Africa has also seen North African countries hosting the highest number of dangerous cities in the continent.

Numbers polled from Statista, population, Tuko , peakng and WorldAtlas show that constant threat of terrorism, corruption, thieves and gangs now drain tourists’ appetite to experience Africa’s incredible beaches, amazing wildlife, and unbelievable history.

The ranking criteria adopted by the agencies include the Crime Index score of the cities in the continent. The score is determined by giving different types of crimes numerical values, considering how serious they are, and then adding up these scores to give an overall measure of how safe or risky an area is in terms of crime.

In ranking the crime rates in most of the cities of the continent, Lagos scored a Crime Index of 67.7 with its recorded acts of politically motivated violence, such as terrorist bombings and armed assaults on security personnel and civilians.

It is however a relief that Lagos remains the only Nigerian city in Nigeria to make the infamous list; unlike South Africa whose five major cities also form the first five most dangerous places to be on the continent. The South African capital of Pretoria, Southern beach city of Durban, commercial city of Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town all solidify South Africa as continental pedestal for crime.

According to the ranking Pretoria becomes Africa’s most dangerous city with a Crime Index score of 81.8 and an 85.82% increase in crime rates over recent years. People in Pretoria, the reports stated, worry about their homes being burgled by criminals.

Crimes that have plagued the city include muggings, car theft, assaults, and vandalism.

Corruption is also rife in Pretoria. For instance, in 2022, Pretoria’s chief magistrate was charged with corruption.

Durban, South Africa, came second with a Crime Index score of 80.9 and a growing reputation for smash and grabs. Riots, looting, rape, murder, theft, house break-ins, kidnappings, and drug-related violence take center stage in Durban.

Johannesburg comes third with a Crime Index score of 80.7 and an exodus of residents. The city has been  overrun by criminality like house break-ins, petty crime, carjackings, and rape.  The center of Johannesburg, Hillbrow, has become a haven for criminals, who go as far as hijacking entire buildings.

Also, the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa is rife with corruption, vandalism, theft, carjackings, kidnappings, drug-related violence, gang conflict, and violent crime.

Cape Town forms the fifth South Africa city with notoriety of extreme violence, thus sealing the position of the multiracial nation at the top of African cities to visit with serious security caution. Though the town is reputed for its beauty, it has a Crime Index score of 73.7 mostly on account of its extremely high levels of gang- and drug-related violence, homicides, street crime, theft and scams.

Somalia’s Mogadishu comes next with a Crime Index score of 72.61 mainly due to terrorism and politically motivated violence, which has prompted many countries to urge their citizens against travelling to the Somalia.

The Namibian city of Windhoek is number seven on the list with a Crime Index score of 68.5. Windhoek has seen a surge in crime rates in the last few years, with the police receiving an alarming average of at least seven robbery cases per day between June and August 2022.

Armed robbery, particularly targeting tourists, stands out as the most significant violent crime in Windhoek. The city also struggles with various other offenses, including theft, carjacking, pickpocketing, and purse snatching.

 Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, is ninth in the list with a Crime Index score of 60.6 mainly on account of rising street crimes.

Zimbabwe’s historic capital, Harare, , has landed itself on the list of Africa’s most dangerous cities, thanks to its constant threat of street crimes. Gangs and thieves reportedly roam the streets at night, making it incredibly unsafe for residents, especially if they are alone.

In the 10^th position is Nairobi, Kenya. With a Crime Index score of 59.1, the report stated that Nairobi faces not only street crimes like theft and scams, but also the persistent threat of terrorism from extremist groups that target foreigners and major population centers.

Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is in the 11^th position on the list with a Crime Index score of 57.53. The city has an ugly safety and security problem. The high crime rate comes from the risk of violent crime, carjackings, home invasions, and armed robbery.

Casablanca earned Morocco the 12^th position in the ignominious list. With a Crime Index score of 55.1, Casablanca finds itself in the list of Africa’s most dangerous cities. Muggings, violent crime, and petty theft have transformed this once great city into one of Africa’s most dangerous. Economic hardships have also pushed many citizens of Casablanca to resort to criminality to survive.

Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, has a Crime Index score of 51.7 and is in the 13^th position of the most dangerous 15 cities in Africa; largely influenced by the looming threat of terrorism. Although counterterrorism efforts have been intensified by the Algerian government, terrorists still operate, targeting security forces, local government institutions, and Western interests.

The capital city of the ancient nation of Egypt, Cairo, chimes in with a Crime Index score of 49.9; following worsening security landscape which challenges the country’s blend of ancient wonders and modern city life. Violence and even terrorism in Cairo have targeted tourist destinations like the Pyramids of Giza.

At the bottom of the notorious list of 15 is Tunis, the capital of Tunisia which holds a Crime Index score of 47.9. The North African country has faced security challenges linked to regional instability, resulting in protests and civil unrest. And frequent protests and demonstrations have often turned violent and contributed to its reputation as a dangerous city. Tunis has also had a problem with the trafficking of both arms and drugs.