A week after returning from a training trip in Nairobi, Kenya, a Nigerian telecom engineer was surprised when the hotel he stayed in during the trip called to inform him that his lost phone was found and returned by a local cab operator.

“Are you kidding me, this is a dream!” He exclaimed on hearing the good news.

It was until he got the phone, which was delivered to his Victoria Island office by a Kenya Airways Nigeria staff, that he wondered if that miracle could happen in Nigeria, especially now that many are hungry and crime rate soaring.

“No, our guys here will do thanksgiving for picking such a phone because even if they sell it half the price, they will still make money from it,” the lucky engineer said.

But the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip phone seems a big deal because petty criminals now can steal anything as long as they can get money from selling it, no matter how small.

You can check our website for information
www.dailyactivereports.com.ng

If you doubt that, a middle-aged father of two, who lost two loaves of family-size bread in an open kiosk in Abuja, while making calls and leaving them unattended to, understands better how hungry is driving petty crimes now.

But in what seems like a comedy skit, but real, a food stuff seller at Jakande-Isolo area of Lagos, was forced to curse some young men who came as though customers, but raised fire alarm that made the woman to rush inside her shop to quench the said fire and returning to see the boys running away with some of her food items.

The helpless woman resorted to cursing them, while some passersby couldn’t shout ‘ole’, rather supported the boys, saying they were hungry.

Across the country such incidents are increasing on a daily basis, pointing to a desperate period in Nigeria, occasioned by the harsh economy, which is driving many to nuts.

As expected, many more have since taken to begging to survive, but they are still begging from Nigerians who are also impacted by the harsh economy. This is making begging a bit unrewarding unlike before.


For many, petty-thieving presents an option as they lurk around looking for opportunities to dispossess people of their belongings.

With one of the world’s highest unemployment rates, Nigeria is witnessing a resultant high crime rate, as jobless and hungry citizens seek alternatives to earn a living.

According to the report by Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, Nigeria ranks 6th in the world, with a crime index of 7.28, even above South Africa.

While organised crime involves more risks, petting-thieving does not; hence many are latching onto it now than before to survive.

“The trouble for me is that the Police will often ask people to go and settle petty crime issues, while forgetting that every successful petty-thieving emboldens the thieves to steal more and tomorrow to grow into armed robbers,” Julius Akesu, chairman, Mayors Community Development Association in Isheri, Lagos, said.

Atimes on crime is a response to hardship.