A new dimension has recently been introduced to hunger-induced crime in Minna, as hungry youths now go about snatching food packs from nursery and primary school children on their way to school in the Niger State capital, according to a report this morning in The Guardian.

The report said that one Fati Sanusi, a nursery two pupil of Mega Stars Academy, located in Kpakungu, Minna, cried to school, alleging that her food pack prepared by her mother was snatched from her by a grown up boy, who ran away even as she cried.

Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Cecilia Bunmi Koseemani, who confirmed the incident to The Guardian, said she and other teachers had hectic time pleading with 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,” the report quoted her as saying.

It said that Mrs. Koseemani 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.

“Several instances of hunger-induced crimes have been reported in Niger State in recent times,” The Guardian said, adding:

“It was reported that a housewife stabbed her rival to death over the modalities for sharing a measure of garri (cassava flour) brought home by their husband. There were other cases 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.

“When caught, it has always been pleading for leniency and understanding, citing hunger, occasioned by the economic situation in the country as reasons for their actions.”

•Photo shows a pupil heading for school with food pack.

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