In a troubling revelation, the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmaman, reported that the rising number of out-of-school children is a major factor driving crime in the state.
During a press briefing in Minna, Danmaman stated, “The high number of out-of-school children has significantly contributed to the increasing crime rate, especially among teenagers.”
Between January and December 2024, the police arrested 713 suspects for various crimes, ranging from homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping to car theft. Alarmingly, a significant portion of these suspects were teenagers, underscoring the growing societal challenge of youth delinquency in the region.
The police also achieved significant breakthroughs in combating kidnapping, with 37 abducted victims rescued throughout the year. Numerous firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized during operations aimed at curbing violent crime.
In an update on a particularly disturbing case, Danmaman shed light on the murder of Hadiza Umaru. He explained, “The victim was poisoned under the guise of treatment for ‘evil spirits,’ and her body was buried in a shallow grave.” Investigations led authorities to discover more graves in the same vicinity, hinting at potential serial crimes or ritualistic practices.
The police commissioner’s comments highlight the urgent need for educational reforms and social interventions to tackle the root causes of youth involvement in crime.
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