A criminal being apprehended by a security agent
In spite of my mum's advancing age and diminishing vigour, she still enthusiastically makes an effort to earn a living. She opens her grocery store early in the morning and closes it quite late at night. She has maintained this habit for decades and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Considering her strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, I was taken aback when she reported an incident of theft at her store to me a few days ago. A large tray used to display bananas for sale was stolen by retail scrap metal traders and scavengers, commonly known as "Iron Condemn" in Nigeria.
A retail scrap metal trader popularly known as "Iron Condemn" in Nigeria
As my mum recounted the unfortunate incident, her frustration at the perpetrators became evident. This marked the second time they successfully stole the same item from her store. Before the recent theft, these "Iron Condemn" scavengers had skillfully removed her old tray through gaps in the store's external gate. I could not help but express my frustration after hearing her story. I asked her how the thieves could evade the watch of the local security team employed by residents to mitigate crime in our neighbourhood. She replied, informing me that the security team had designated times for patrolling the neighbourhood, and that the theft occurred after their duty hours. Nonetheless, she planned to inform the head of the security team about the incident later in the day.
A shoplifter trying to steal clothes from a clothing store
Reflecting on my mum's experience, I started reminiscing about the safe neighbourhood we once had. Back then, residents used to move freely without fearing attacks from criminals. Traders and business owners conducted their activities in a secure environment and were delighted to do so. However, I also recalled a distressing incident involving my sister in the same area last year. She was accosted and had her phone stolen by hooligans on her way to the market. What made matters worse was that the thieves used her phone to illegally withdraw all her savings from the bank.
Illicit activities like stealing have become prevalent in the society
As these memories resurfaced, I began to wonder how our previously safe neighbourhood had deteriorated into a hub of criminal activity. It is disheartening to acknowledge that some individuals like the retail scrap metal traders, "Iron Condemn," whom I mentioned earlier, engage in illicit activities such as theft under the guise of their trade. This leads to some thought-provoking questions. Are the current economic hardships facing the country responsible for these vices, or is our society deliberately straying from the moral values and principles we claim to uphold?
The harsh economic conditions in the country have made many individuals unhappy
From my observation, I believe that both economic and social factors contribute to the rising crime rates not only in our neighbourhood but across the country. Unfavourable economic conditions have negatively impacted the living standards of most Nigerians, leading to a significant devaluation of the nation's currency, increased living costs, unemployment, and heightened insecurity. These challenges, particularly unemployment and insecurity, have fostered the spread and persistence of crime throughout the country.
The dignity of labour was respected in our society the past
In addition to the adverse economic conditions, our moral convictions and principles appear to be eroding. In the past, Nigerians promoted virtues such as diligence, contentment, critical thinking, literacy, and technical skills as common goals for everyone to aspire to attain. This approach resulted in a society that valued merit and rewarded individuals who demonstrated these qualities in their respective endeavours. Unfortunately, these convictions seem to be less shared by many in recent times, leading to a disregard for social etiquette and the perpetration of criminal activities by those who have strayed from these principles.
Acts of criminality need to be mitigated in our society
The losses my mum and sister suffered due to theft are painful reminders of the rising crime rates in our neighbourhoods. Given this situation, it's crucial for our society to take a firm stance against these criminal acts. By doing so, we can all enjoy the benefits of living in a peaceful and safe environment. Criminality and insecurity pose significant threats to our society's progress, and if left unchecked, they may lead to anarchy. We must collectively work towards eradicating these vices or, at the very least, reducing them to the minimum.
Thank you for reading,
Have a splendid day, folks.
credit: click photo caption for image source.