Rising Phone Thefts and Scams Spark Fear at Lagos’ Ikeja Computer Village
Ikeja Computer Village, widely regarded as Nigeria’s largest hub for mobile phones, gadgets, and technology accessories, is grappling with a surge in phone theft and scam activities that traders and customers say is increasingly becoming a normalised risk within the busy Lagos marketplace.
Located in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos State, the market has long served as a major destination for buyers seeking new and fairly used phones, accessories, and repair services. However, recent reports suggest that a growing wave of theft and fraudulent sales is undermining confidence in what was once considered the centre of Nigeria’s gadget economy.
Investigations and accounts from traders, commuters, and customers indicate that phones purchased within the market often go missing within minutes, sometimes without any physical confrontation or visible struggle. Victims describe incidents that appear almost seamless, with devices disappearing from pockets, bags, or hands in crowded walkways.
Kunle Adebayo, a commercial bus driver who frequently passes through the market, recounted losing his phone shortly after entering the area. According to him, the device disappeared from his pocket within minutes, despite no physical contact or disturbance.
“It felt unreal,” he said. “I checked my pocket two minutes later and it was gone. No push, no fight, nothing. Since then, I avoid going into the main market whenever I can.”
Several other individuals shared similar experiences, noting that the thefts often occur in congested corridors, near shop entrances, or in areas where customers pause to negotiate prices. Many attribute the incidents to highly coordinated pickpocketing groups operating within crowded sections of the market.
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In addition to theft, scam activities involving fake or swapped phones have also become a major concern. Some buyers report purchasing devices that appear genuine at first but later turn out to be counterfeit or defective. These phones are sometimes packaged to resemble well-known brands and sold at competitive prices to unsuspecting customers.
Victims say the scams can occur within seconds. In some cases, a buyer is shown a genuine device during negotiation, only for it to be swapped with a fake or lower-quality phone once payment is made. By the time the deception is discovered, the seller has often disappeared.
A customer identified as Sadiq Bello recounted how a friend purchased what appeared to be an authentic smartphone from the market, only to discover days later that the device was faulty and the seller could no longer be located. Others described similar incidents, particularly involving roadside dealers and unregistered sellers operating at the fringes of the market.
Legitimate traders within the market say they are also affected by the rising cases, as angry customers sometimes return to registered shops after falling victim to theft or scams elsewhere. Some dealers report being wrongly accused when phones purchased from their stores are stolen shortly after buyers leave.
According to market traders, certain criminal elements pose as buyers to monitor customers who have just completed transactions. Once a purchase is made, the buyer may be followed and targeted by pickpockets outside the store.
The Computer Village Traders Association has acknowledged the growing concerns and says it is working with security agencies and local task forces to address the situation. The association’s secretary, Babatunde Akinwale, said efforts are ongoing to identify and remove individuals involved in theft and the sale of fake phones.
He noted that many of the suspected offenders operate outside the association’s structure, particularly roadside sellers who are not registered members. These individuals, he said, are harder to monitor and regulate.
Authorities have also highlighted the need for structural reforms. In September 2025, the Lagos State Government issued traders an 18-month relocation notice to move from the current Ikeja site to a newly developed permanent market at Katangowa in the Agbado/Oke-Odo area. Officials say the new location has been designed with improved infrastructure, security, and organisation to support safer business operations.
Government representatives have emphasised that the relocation is necessary not only for urban planning but also for safety and security improvements within the technology trading sector. The new site spans approximately 15 hectares and is intended to provide a structured environment for traders and customers.
As relocation plans continue, stakeholders hope that stronger regulation, improved security coordination, and a more organised market environment will help restore confidence and reduce the rising cases of theft and fraud currently affecting one of Nigeria’s most important commercial hubs.