A young female student in Benin, Edo State, has been left heartbroken after her apartment was burglarized for the second time in just six months. The latest incident has left her feeling vulnerable and helpless as thieves made off with valuable possessions, leaving behind a scene of destruction in her once-organized room.
The victim, a student at one of the university in Benin, explained that the burglary took place while she was away attending school. When she returned to her apartment, she was met with the distressing sight of her room ransacked. Clothes, shoes, gadgets, a television, and other expensive items had been stolen. In an emotional video, she showed the damage, with drawers turned over and personal items scattered around, highlighting the extent of the break-in.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” she said, fighting back tears as she shared her experience online. “This is the second time in six months! The first time, I kept quiet, but this time, I won’t let it slide. I will go to any length to find those responsible,” she vowed, determined to seek justice.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Across various parts of Nigeria, burglary and theft have been on the rise, with criminals targeting students, particularly those living off-campus in rented apartments. Students are often easy targets due to the nature of their living arrangements, which tend to be in areas with less security compared to residential neighbourhoods.
In Benin, the capital of Edo State, residents have increasingly expressed concerns about the rise in crime rates, with burglary and armed robbery becoming more frequent in recent months. The growing frustration among citizens is evident, as many feel that law enforcement agencies are struggling to address the issue effectively.
In the case of the female student, the burglars gained access to her apartment by forcing open a window in the toilet, a method that is becoming more common as criminals look for new ways to break into homes without being detected. This detail has raised concerns among locals, many of whom feel that more should be done to secure vulnerable properties.
For students, the impact of such burglaries can be devastating. Beyond the loss of valuable possessions, it also disrupts their peace of mind and makes them feel unsafe in what should be a secure place—their home. This is especially true for students who, like the victim in this case, have worked hard to acquire their belongings, only for them to be stolen in a matter of hours.
Benin has long been a city with a bustling economy, largely driven by agriculture, commerce, and the vibrant university community. However, in recent years, rising unemployment, economic instability, and youth disenchantment have contributed to an increase in criminal activities, including theft, armed robbery, and cybercrime.
The situation has also become worse with the rise in internet fraud, or “Yahoo Yahoo,” a popular term for online scams in Nigeria. As the online fraud industry faces increasing scrutiny, many individuals who once relied on scams have turned to traditional forms of theft, including burglary, as an alternative source of income. The student’s frustration with the rise in theft was clear in her remark: “Yahoo don hard, now everybody wan dey thief!”
This frustration is felt not only by the student but by many young Nigerians who have seen a shift in the ways crime is being carried out in their communities. As traditional crimes like burglary become more common, law-abiding citizens are left feeling unsafe and powerless.
