The Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, officially ended on 15 January 1970 when Biafra surrendered to the federal government. The government’s policy of “No Victor, No Vanquished” promised reconciliation and reintegration. But for many Nigerians, especially those in the former Eastern Region, the aftermath of the war was anything but peaceful. Cities were crowded with displaced populations, infrastructure lay in ruins, and livelihoods had vanished.
In this environment of social and economic disruption, armed robbery began to rise sharply, particularly in urban centres such as Lagos and Ibadan. Scholars point to a mix of leftover weapons, poverty, urban migration, and weak law enforcement as the main drivers of this surge.
Weapons Leftover from War
At the end of the war, thousands of combatants were disarmed, or at least, in theory. In practice, many soldiers and former fighters retained military-grade weapons. Some were never fully demobilised, and official efforts to recover arms were inconsistent. This created a situation in which firearms were more readily available in civilian contexts than before the war.
The presence of these weapons made armed robbery more feasible and more dangerous. While popular stories sometimes describe ex-soldiers forming organised gangs with military-style codes, historians have found no verified evidence for these specific claims. Still, the general pattern of leftover arms entering post-war society is well documented.
Economic Hardship and Displacement
The war left extensive destruction across Nigeria, but the former Eastern Region suffered most. Farms, homes, and markets were destroyed, and tens of thousands were displaced. People who had once relied on agriculture or small businesses suddenly faced unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.
For many, criminal activity became a means of survival. While most Nigerians tried to rebuild their lives, the sheer scale of poverty and lack of opportunity pushed some toward armed robbery. Researchers note that post-war poverty and displacement were significant motivators for crime, alongside the structural weaknesses that made enforcement difficult.
Weak Policing and Justice Systems
The police forces of early 1970s Nigeria were underfunded, poorly equipped, and ill-prepared to respond to the surge in crime. Rapid urbanisation and population growth in cities like Lagos strained already limited resources. Even when the authorities acted, justice was often harsh. Convicted armed robbers could face execution, and public firing squads were used as a deterrent.
Despite these severe measures, armed robbery continued to rise. The heavy focus on punishment over prevention highlighted the challenges of addressing crime in a country still recovering from a devastating civil war.
Urbanisation and Social Change
Cities were expanding rapidly in the post-war years. Migrants from rural areas and war-affected regions poured into Lagos, Ibadan, and other urban centres. Traditional community oversight weakened, and social bonds were often strained. Scholars have observed that these shifts, combined with visible economic inequality, contributed to the environment in which armed robbery could thrive.
The growth of urban crime reflected not just economic pressures but also the changing social landscape. Displacement, the erosion of some traditional structures, and new social expectations all played a role in shaping behaviour in post-war cities.
Notorious Criminals of the Era
Among the most notorious figures was Ishola Oyenusi, whose criminal activities shocked Lagos in the early 1970s. He became infamous for armed hold-ups and targeting wealthy urban residents. Historians agree that Oyenusi’s rise occurred after the war, though there is no verified evidence that he served as a combatant during the conflict.
Statistics from the period show a dramatic increase in armed robbery. Reported cases rose from around 12,000 in 1970 to more than 105,000 by 1976. The rise reflected both an increase in criminal activity and the challenges faced by the police in monitoring and controlling these crimes.
The rise of armed robbery in post-war Nigeria was shaped by a combination of leftover weapons, economic hardship, urban migration, and weak policing. Criminal activity flourished not because of the sensational exploits of a few individuals, but because structural conditions created opportunities for crime to take root. Cities became particularly vulnerable, and public confidence in law enforcement suffered. These patterns highlight how social and economic challenges can directly influence crime, and how addressing them requires more than punishment, it requires strengthening communities, providing opportunities, and ensuring effective security measures.
Author’s Note
This article highlights how a combination of leftover weapons, economic hardship, urban migration, and weak policing contributed to the rise of armed robbery in post-war Nigeria. It shows that crime was driven by structural conditions rather than the exploits of a few individuals. Understanding these patterns reveals the importance of addressing social and economic challenges alongside law enforcement to reduce crime and strengthen communities.
References
Rotimi, A. Perspectives on the Armed Robbery Offense in Nigeria, 1984. Office of Justice Programs.
The Cable. “Banditry in Nigeria – a brief history of a long war.” TheCable, accessed 2025.
Yahaya, H. Armed Robbery in Nigeria after the Civil War of 1967–70: Search for Effective Remedies, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru–Jos, 1984.
