Armed robbery in Nigeria, particularly in and around Lagos, is typically committed by heavily armed gangs who kill and maim their victims whether or not they resist. Robbers strike any time and anywhere, realizing there is little risk of apprehension or armed resistance, since few citizens carry firearms for self-defense. Although the police have mounted crime prevention education programs, encouraged public cooperation with the police in solving crimes, and attempted to increase the effectiveness of police patrols, armed robberies continue to increase. The police are rarely at a crime scene in time to catch the robbers, even when robberies are committed near police check points. Robbers are typically better organized, trained, and equipped than the police, and the police often prematurely abandon crime investigations. Overall, NPF organization, management, equipment, and training are ill-suited to the challenge posed by organized gangs equipped with sophisticated firearms. An aggravating factor is police corruption, which has undermined public trust in and cooperation with the police. Forty-three references are listed.