By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna**
As economic challenges deepen in Nigeria, communities in Kaduna town are grappling with a surge in robbery and burglary incidents, largely perpetrated by teenage boys.
Hotspots for these crimes include Sabon Tasha, Gonin Gora, Ungwan Boro, Tudun Wada, Kawo, and Ungwan Rimi. In Gonin Gora, the issue has become particularly alarming, with seven teenage boys, including a seven-year-old, recently arrested for allegedly burgling food restaurant shops, according to a local resident, Peter Endurance.
Reports reveal that one of the arrested boys has been detained multiple times in juvenile custody but continues to reappear at crime scenes involving shop burglaries. The situation has escalated to the point where the boy’s mother reportedly begged the police to send him to prison, but authorities declined due to his underage status.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that these teenage burglars primarily target restaurants and provision shops, stealing food items, cooking utensils, and other goods, which they sell afterward. Instead of breaking through doors, they often penetrate through small holes in walls, leveraging their small size to gain access.
Despite being caught and beaten by angry residents on several occasions, the severity of hunger and poverty seems to drive the teenagers to persist in their criminal activities.
Violent Crimes Reported
While the shop burglaries have dominated attention, more severe incidents have also occurred. A motorcyclist was reportedly slaughtered near the Abuja Junction overhead bridge, with his motorbike and phone stolen by the perpetrators.
In another case, a motorcyclist transporting passengers from Gonin Gora to Ungwan Boro near Sabon Tasha was attacked upon arrival. Though he managed to fend off the attackers and secure his bike, he suffered severe injuries, leaving him in critical condition.
Police Response
Attempts to obtain clarification from ASP Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The increasing crime rate underscores the dire impact of economic hardship on vulnerable communities, as both hunger and desperation drive young individuals into criminal activities.
