How to Use Safe Nigeria Project
A comprehensive guide to reporting, verifying, and analyzing security incidents in Nigeria
The Nigeria Incident Tracker is an open-source platform designed to document violent incidents across Nigeria in a transparent, verifiable manner. Whether you're a journalist, researcher, NGO worker, or concerned citizen, this guide will help you make the most of the platform.
Dashboard
View high-level statistics, recent incidents, and platform activity. This is your starting point for understanding the current security landscape.
Incident Database
Search and filter through all documented incidents:
- • Search: Find incidents by keywords in title or description
- • Filter by type: Banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, etc.
- • Filter by status: Verified, partially verified, unverified, disputed
- • Filter by location: State and LGA
- • Sort: By date, casualties, or verification status
Map View
Visualize incidents geographically. Use clustering to see patterns, heatmap view for density, and click markers for detailed information. Filter by date, type, and status to focus your analysis.
We offer multiple reporting channels based on your privacy needs:
Public Incident Report
Standard incident submission for public documentation.
When to use: General security incidents you want documented publicly
Required info: Title, date, location (state), incident type
Privacy: No personal identifying information (names, addresses, photos of victims)
Process: Marked as "unverified" until sources are added and reviewed
Whisper Channel
For highly sensitive incidents that require extra privacy protection.
When to use: Sensitive incidents involving ongoing threats or vulnerable communities
Privacy: Kept private until admin approves for public release
Protection: Flagged for extra review to remove any identifying details
Process: Admin reviews → redacts sensitive info → approves for public (if appropriate)
Anonymous Tip
Fully anonymous reporting with secure two-way communication.
When to use: When you need complete anonymity
How it works: You receive a unique Anonymous ID to check for responses
Privacy: No login required, no IP tracking, secure messaging
Process: Admin reviews → may request more info → converts to incident if verified
Trend Report
For community leaders to flag emerging patterns and security trends.
When to use: Observing increases in violence, displacement, or new patterns
Purpose: Early warning system for communities and researchers
Info needed: Time period, affected areas, estimated population impact
Process: Reviewed by admin → linked to related incidents → made public
All incidents go through a verification process to ensure accuracy and credibility.
Verification Statuses
Initial status, awaiting sources and review
Some sources added, needs additional confirmation
Multiple reliable sources confirm the incident
Conflicting information or credibility concerns
Adding Sources
Anyone can add sources to an incident to help verification:
- • News media: Reputable news organizations
- • Official reports: Police, military, or government statements
- • NGO reports: Humanitarian organizations
- • Witness accounts: First-hand reports (anonymized)
- • Social media: Verified accounts with credibility
Each source is rated for reliability (high, medium, low) to help assess credibility.
If you have admin access, you can:
- • Manage anonymous tips: Review, respond, and convert tips to incidents
- • Review whisper reports: Redact sensitive info and approve for public release
- • Assign verification tasks: Delegate fact-checking to team members
- • Case management: Group related incidents into investigation cases
- • User management: Grant verifier or admin permissions
- • Access reports dashboard: Generate analytics and export data
- ✓Be factual: Stick to what you know, avoid speculation
- ✓Protect privacy: Never include names or identifying details
- ✓Add sources: Multiple sources strengthen verification
- ✓Use appropriate channels: Choose the right reporting method for sensitivity level
- ✓Update information: Add new details through discussion threads
- ✗Don't: Share unverified rumors or personal vendettas
- ✗Don't: Include photos, full names, or house addresses
- ✗Don't: Use the platform for non-security related issues