Ikeja Computer Village, Nigeria’s largest technology and phone trading hub in Lagos State, is facing a growing wave of phone thefts and scams, creating fear among traders, buyers, and passersby.
Investigations reveal that newly purchased phones are disappearing within minutes, often without any physical struggle. Kunle Adebayo, a commercial bus driver, recounted how his phone vanished from his pocket in seconds, leaving him wary of returning to the market. Similarly, a university student, Blessing Eze, said buyers must exercise extreme caution as thieves operate with remarkable skill, particularly in crowded walkways and narrow shop corridors.
Beyond theft, phone scams have also become rampant, particularly involving fake devices known locally as “China phones.” These phones are often packaged to resemble popular brands and sold to unsuspecting buyers, who sometimes only discover the deception after leaving the market. Sadiq Bello shared the experience of a friend whose iPhone stopped working two days after purchase, with the seller disappearing without trace. Other buyers reported quick device swaps at roadside stalls, leaving them with inferior phones.
Market traders say roadside sellers significantly contribute to these scams, while legitimate dealers also suffer as complaints from customers continue to rise. Abubakar, a popular Infinix phone dealer, described the embarrassment and frustration of losing phones shortly after sales, noting that scammers often study customer movements to target newly purchased devices.
The Secretary of the Computer Village Traders Association, Mr. Babatunde Akinwale, said the union is aware of the problem and is working with security operatives to identify fake phone sellers and criminal elements. However, he noted that most roadside sellers operate outside the union’s control, making enforcement challenging.
The Lagos State Government has mandated that traders relocate to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in Agbado/Oke-Odo, within 18 months. The new site has been equipped with infrastructure to create a more organized and secure trading environment. Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, emphasized that the relocation is critical to urban planning, safety, and the structured growth of the market, urging traders to cooperate with the move.
