Recession: In Niger State, hungry youths snatch food packs from nursery and primary school children

Hunger-induced crimes in Minna, Niger State capital have taken a worrying dimension as hungry youths now go about snatching food packs from nursery and primary school children on their way to school, The Guardian reports.

The latest victim, one Fati Sanusi, a four-year-old nursery two pupil of Mega Stars Academy, located in Kpakungu, Minna, alleged that her food pack, prepared by her mother was snatched from her by a youth.

Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Cecilia Bunmi Koseemani, who confirmed the incident exclusively to The Guardian, said that it was difficult to get the little girl to stop crying.

"We had to send for her mother who prevailed on the four-year-old girl before she stopped crying. The mother later rushed back home to prepare Indomie for her instead of the rice meal that was initially snatched from her." said Mrs Koseemani.

The Headmistress appealed to parents to try and put their little school children in the care of grown up schoolmates, so as to avoid such things in the future, describing the incident as a reflection of the prevailing hardship in the country.

Other cases of hunger-induced crimes includes reports of people stealing food still on fire, as well as women collecting food items from sellers in the market and deliberately taking to their heels instead of paying. It was also reported that a housewife stabbed her rival to death over the modalities for sharing a measure of Gaari (Cassava flour) brought home by their husband.