Armed Burglars Wreak Havoc Across the Country, Exacerbating Hardship

Key Points:

• 3.8% food inflation rate is exacerbating hardship and desperation, leading to increased crime rates.
• Lack of effective security measures in many communities is emboldening criminals
• Surge in armed burglaries is creating a growing sense of unease
•  Residents no longer have trust in the Nigeria Police.

By Emmanuel Kwada

A wave of armed burglaries is sweeping across the nation, leaving a trail of fear and hardship in its wake. The alarming rise in break-ins has compounded the existing economic struggles faced by many citizens, making life even more challenging.

The recent surge in armed burglaries has raised concerns about public safety and the ability of law enforcement agencies to curb the menace. With food inflation increasing to 33.8%, as announced by the NBS, Nigerians argue that national inflation is around 400%; families are already struggling to make ends meet. The added threat of armed burglars has created an atmosphere of anxiety, making it difficult for people to feel secure in their own homes.

These individuals operate in groups of 20 to 40, armed with machetes, handmade guns, knives

“This is a harvest period, and we’re already selling corn (maize) at an average of ₦80,000 to ₦90,000 per L8 bag, as opposed to ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 in 2023. Beans are going for ₦120,000 to ₦180,000, compared to ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 by this time last year. The situation does not take long to escalate; buyers rush to purchase items, which is a bad idea, as prices will inevitably rise with increasing demand, according to Abubakar Mustapha, a vendor who buys and sells within the Northeast.

This makes it hard for ordinary people to survive, and there are no signs of relief soon as inflation keeps soaring. As a result, hunger pushes people into crime in search of survival, while our security architecture is insufficient to cover our communities. You can find a community with over 5,000 residents without any security post or police station, which makes it easy for criminals to capitalize on the situation.

They break through the doors or windows or through the back wall in most cases

In Kaduna State, areas that have been mostly reported in recent times include Sabon Tasha, Gonin Gora, U/Boro, and parts of Tudun Wada, Kawo, and U/Rimi, among others.

According to eyewitness accounts, these individuals operate in groups of 20 to 40, armed with machetes, handmade guns, knives, and hammers, robbing houses to collect mostly money, ATM cards, phones, laptops, gas cylinders, and burgled shops, primarily restaurants and provision shops, taking away food items and other products like cooking utensils to sell.

They took three bags of my rice from my farm

“They break through the doors or windows or through the back wall in most cases,” a source said.

In Adamawa State, Mrs. Kauna, a widow, who spoke to THE INSIGHT, narrates how thieves are on the rampage, even in the farms. “They took three bags of my rice from my farm,” she said. “After the harvest, I was unable to get a truck to convey it, so I decided to keep it sheltered on the farm, which is a regular practice around here. I was shocked to discover the next day that my rice was gone,” laments the widow of two who lost her husband last year and is struggling to earn a living with her orphans.

They entered our compound around 1:30 a.m. and operated for two whole hours

“It is a regular nightmare here in Mararaba,” says Apostle Israel, who was robbed of his phones, money, and laptop. “They entered our compound around 1:30 a.m. and operated for two whole hours, burglarizing all five flats in my compound and taking our valuables worth 11 million. The Nigeria Police advised us to take care of ourselves after collecting our money for filing our statements. ‘These boys might come again,’ says the policewoman. After one week, they entered a compound opposite our own,” he laments.

“They burglarized my shop and took all my goods. I don’t know where to start from,” an elderly woman in Nyanya cries out, vowing not to report to the police because she doesn’t have any money to “dash” them again.

File Photo: Armed Bugglars arrested by the Nigeria Police in Abuja 

This is a similar case in every part of the country, and when these criminals are caught and handed over to the police, they are released the next day. This is frustrating, as the effects of these burglaries extend beyond material losses.

Communities are experiencing a growing sense of unease, with many residents feeling vulnerable to attack. The emotional toll of living in fear should not be underestimated, as it can have long-term consequences for mental health and well-being.

These criminals are caught and handed over to the police, they are released the next day

As the situation continues to deteriorate, citizens are demanding greater action from authorities to address the root causes of this crisis. Policymakers are urged to invest in community development programs, address economic disparities, and strengthen law enforcement capabilities to combat this growing threat.