By Crystal Ugoeze
Alcohol has emerged as the most stolen retail item in Nigeria, according to global compilations of shoplifting trends that compare commonly stolen goods across countries. While theft patterns differ from one nation to another, alcohol consistently ranks highest in Nigeria’s category, reflecting a combination of strong demand, high resale value and weak retail security in some areas.
Globally, retail theft has continued to rise, with supermarkets and convenience stores reporting increased losses from shoplifting and organised retail crime. In many countries, items such as cheese, packaged meat and baby products are frequently targeted. However, in Nigeria, alcohol stands out as the leading item stolen, surpassing other grocery and household goods.
Retail analysts say alcohol is especially attractive to thieves because it is compact, relatively expensive and easy to resell. Bottles of spirits, wines and beers can be quickly converted into cash through informal markets, roadside sales or unscrupulous outlets, making them a preferred target for both opportunistic shoplifters and organised theft rings.
Store owners in major Nigerian cities say losses linked to stolen alcohol are becoming increasingly difficult to absorb, particularly amid rising operating costs and inflation. Some retailers have responded by locking up premium bottles, increasing security personnel or installing surveillance systems, measures that often raise costs for businesses and inconvenience customers.
Beyond the economic impact on retailers, the trend raises broader social and public health concerns. Alcohol misuse remains a major challenge in everyday life, contributing to road accidents, domestic violence, declining productivity and long-term health problems such as liver disease and mental health disorders. When alcohol circulates through informal or illegal channels, the risks increase further, as such products may be counterfeit, adulterated or consumed without regulation.
Public health experts warn that easy access to alcohol—especially through theft and unregulated resale—undermines efforts to promote responsible consumption. They note that communities often bear the cost through increased healthcare burdens, insecurity and social instability.
Although global rankings of stolen items are not perfectly uniform and may vary depending on data sources and reporting periods, the repeated appearance of alcohol at the top of Nigeria’s list highlights a worrying intersection of retail crime and public health risk. Analysts say addressing the problem will require a mix of stronger retail security, law enforcement action against organised theft, and sustained public education on the dangers of alcohol abuse.