By Yusuf Alhaji Lawan
Not long ago, I wrote about a personal loss, the day my phone was stolen. But as I reflected more deeply, it became clear that what Nigeria loses daily to phone theft is far greater than any individual device. It is a loss of safety, trust, economic stability and in some tragic cases, human lives. Today, that reflection must move beyond lamentation to a firm call for action, the urgent regulation of the sale and purchase of used phones in Nigeria as a matter of national security.
Phone theft has quietly grown into one of the most pervasive crimes in Nigeria, spreading like wildfire across cities and rural communities alike. It respects no boundaries, young or old, rich or poor, urban or rural. Everyone is a potential victim. In commercial vehicles, tricycles, places of worship, wedding ceremonies, motor parks, hostels, campuses and even within the supposed safety of our homes, Nigerians are constantly at risk. There are disturbing accounts of thieves jumping fences at night just to steal mobile phones and of citizens being attacked on the roadside simply for making a call.
This is no longer a petty crime. It is a gateway crime, one that has evolved into a chain of criminal activities with far-reaching consequences. Many innocent Nigerians have lost their lives resisting phone snatchers. Others have sustained life-altering injuries or permanent disabilities. The emotional and psychological toll is immeasurable.
Years ago, there was a widely reported case involving the theft of a phone belonging to a serving state Governor. The suspect was apprehended, tried and sentenced to an astonishing 100 years imprisonment. While some commentators mocked the judgment as excessive, it reflected a deeper frustration within society, a recognition that what appears to be a minor crime often carries devastating consequences. The sarcasm that followed, asking how many years would be imposed if it were the governor himself that was stolen, missed the point. The real issue is not the phone; it is the system of criminality surrounding it.
A critical question must be asked, what happens to these stolen phones? They do not simply disappear. There exists a flourishing and largely unregulated market where these devices are quickly resold. This is the missing link in the chain of crime. If there were no ready markets for stolen phones, the incentive to steal them would drastically reduce. Criminal activity thrives where there is demand. Therefore, addressing phone theft without addressing the resale ecosystem is like treating symptoms while ignoring the disease.
The current situation places an enormous burden on victims. Recovering stolen phones has become a daunting, often frustrating process. In many cases, victims are asked by security operatives to pay certain tracking fees with promises of recovery, promises that are not always fulfilled. Even when phones are retrieved, the process is slow, uncertain and inaccessible to the average citizen. This erodes public confidence in the system and leaves many victims to simply accept their losses.
But the loss is not just the physical device. In today’s digital world, a phone is a repository of one’s life. When stolen, it becomes a powerful tool in the hands of criminals. Bank applications, personal records, emails, photographs and sensitive documents become vulnerable. There are numerous cases where thieves access financial apps, transfer funds or even obtain online loans using the victim’s identity, leaving them not only robbed but indebted.
Consider the painful story of a young girl who secretly took her mother’s phone to impress her friends during the New Year celebrations of 2025. In a moment of carelessness, the phone was stolen. What was lost was not just a gadget, but months, if not years, of academic work. Her mother, a PhD student, had her dissertation draft stored on that device. That kind of loss is irreparable and highlights the deeper implications of phone theft in our society.
So, what is the way forward?
Nigeria must recognize that this is not merely a law enforcement issue, it is a policy failure that requires structural intervention. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive framework to regulate the sale and purchase of used phones across the country.
One key step is the formalization and registration of phone vendors. The era of anonymous roadside trading in used phones must come to an end. Anyone engaged in the business of selling used phones should operate from a registered shop, be affiliated with recognized unions and have a verifiable address. This will create accountability and make it easier to trace the flow of devices.
There should be mandatory documentation for every transaction. Sellers should be required to record the identity of individuals who bring phones for sale, including valid identification, contact details, photographs and proof of ownership where possible. These records should be maintained systematically and made available for periodic inspection by law enforcement agencies. Such a system will significantly reduce the ease with which stolen phones are laundered into the market.
In high-risk areas, there may even be a need for targeted restrictions or outright bans on informal used phone trading, particularly in locations known for criminal activity. While such measures must be carefully implemented to avoid undue hardship, they can serve as effective deterrents when properly enforced.
Furthermore, the legal framework must be strengthened. Clear and stringent penalties should be established not only for those who steal phones but also for those who knowingly facilitate their resale. Criminal networks depend heavily on collaboration and the law must address every link in the chain.
Financial institutions also have a role to play. Banks must continue to enhance security measures on mobile banking platforms. Multi-layer authentication, transaction limits, biometric verification and rapid response mechanisms for reported theft cases can help minimize financial losses and protect customers.
Ultimately, the goal is to restore a sense of security among citizens. Nigerians should be able to use their phones freely without fear, whether at home, in transit or in public spaces. A society where people are constantly looking over their shoulders just to make a phone call is not one that can progress with confidence.
The time has come to move from sympathy to strategy, from lamentation to legislation. Regulating the sale of used phones is not about stifling commerce; it is about safeguarding lives, protecting property and restoring public confidence. If we fail to act decisively, the cycle of theft, violence and loss will only continue to deepen.
Nigeria cannot afford that loss any longer.
Yusuf Alhaji Lawan writes from Minna South Ward, Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State. He can be reached via [email protected].
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