Why Nigeria may witness uncontrollable rise in crime

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has been advised to urgently address economic hardship and security challenges rocking the country before it culminates to rise in criminality.

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, Ondo State, Rev. Stephen Fagbemi, gave the advice during the third session of the 14th Synod of the Church held at St Stephen’s Church, Ipele in Owo local government area of the state.

Fagbemi said the dimension of sufferings in Nigeria may escalate to uncontrollable rise in crime if drastic action was not taken to address the effects of hardship that crowned Nigerians with much pains and frustration.

He urged Bola Tinubu to hasten up in his efforts to addressing insecurity and other challenges confronting the country.

He said, “Unless urgent and effective steps are taken to curtail the effects of the current economic situation in the country, Nigeria may witness an uncontrollable rise in crime, noting most Nigerians are leaving the country in search of greener pastures as a result of unfavorable economic policies.

“Nigeria has become a harder place to live in as evident in the fact that many people are leaving the country for greener pastures while many are finding themselves in difficult situations where they fled to.”

According to him, “Nigeria and its people have encountered acute economic hardship within the past year owing to the sudden removal of petroleum subsidy and due to devaluation and instability of the foreign exchange.

“The resultant effects of these actions are the harsh economic reality that Nigerians are facing daily. Inflation is almost out of control and prices of goods and commodities have risen astronomically.”

He added that, “It has become hard for people to feed their families. Perhaps only very few wealthy individuals can claim to be comfortable at the moment.

“We urge our government to work harder at diversifying our economy. Already it is evident that unemployment is very high, as so many graduates are walking about without any job or means of livelihood. This makes the future look bleak and hopeless for many.”