Chronicles of a Nigerian Youth with Crimes.

"Parents, pay attention to your children;
we are the leaders of future;
pay us school fees and provide us with the greatest education possible."

_{This was one of the most popular songs I sang in primary school on the devotion ground.}

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It was not just a song; it was a fact that as we grew older, we sculpted our thoughts to become valuable members of society, and therefore we are tomorrow's potential leaders.
I used to fantasize about adulthood and what it was like to be a teenager when I was younger and still growing up. I was able to see certain teenagers and their behaviours at that age.

We were clearly on two separate paths in terms of our youth development.You are either a good or a bad adolescent. The good ones were considered as the gold standard for showing youngsters like myself, as they were engaged in noble activities, but the bad adolescents were caught up in youthful enthusiasm and had no idea when to hit the brake pedal. These are known as "Rotten Eggs."

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Now that I am older and have lived through the youthful phase, I am still very much in it. I have learned a lot about our process and why it's so easy for us to get involved in criminal activity while we are young.

I would want to stress that, despite the variables that affect us to become involved in juvenile crimes, such as peer pressure and our environment, it comes down to "PERSONAL DECISION.". I was up in a city somewhere in West Africa that was pretty unstable at the time of my adolescent years. I witnessed crimes and was aware of them. In society, crimes are inevitable, but the "Youths" are the driving force. At the very least, youths aged 18 to 35 are actively involved in ensuring that these illicit acts continue.

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An interesting trend in juvenile crimes is that you only need to start with one,because they are all interconnected, you eventually become a master of them all.
The fact that it is very difficult for a young person to know when to touch the brake pedal, to stop accelerating,instead it is one way crusing till you crash into a rock or the sea without any help.

Everyone points to "Peer Pressure" as the first and most important factor in enticing young people into criminal activity. I agree, but I would want to point out that it all starts with the "Puberty" period. The physical distinctions result in a new concept, mentality, and approach to things. It encourages new ideas to be considered in new ways.
We gradually begin to notice how we appear, speak, act, and carry ourselves. You are expected to act like a "Big Boy or Girl," or you will be perceived as less. As a result, Peer Pressure has the ideal setting in which to impact you.

When I reached puberty, which ushered in the youthful term, I realized that I had "freedom" to do most or all of the things that my parents had forbidden me to do. So, I had seen most of my pals take this stage to the next level by starting with "Alcoholism and Drugs."
"Alcohol Addiction" is the first and most common crime committed by teenagers.

You should have seen my expression when I got my first bottle of beer and I had to throw it away while wondering what was so amazing about it.Years later, I drink alcohol like fruit juice since my taste receptors have been accustomed to it, and it is now really cool.

The problem is not with drinking alcohol; it is with understanding when to quit when you have had too much and gotten inebriated. Growing up, it seemed like you had to drink to be considered a "Top Guy," and peer pressure did not help matters. This is how we lose our attention; most teenagers consume so much alcohol that they become accustomed to it. As a result, people may brush their teeth with alcohol even when they wake up in the morning. Alcohol kills people and, more importantly, it is a catalyst for criminal behavior.

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Drugs are heavy substitute for alcohol, providing a more balanced and stronger mood. Every component of the drug addiction cycle is actively involved. Addiction is frequently at the root of the problem. Addiction is at the basis of drug-related crimes such as gang fighting and violence, as well as drug trafficking, which is currently one of the world's most serious problems. For opioids to be trafficked, there must be consumers, who are typically young people. Youths are also involved in illegal narcotics distribution, bringing drugs into the areas and distributing them to end consumers.
Countless lives have been lost due to drug overdoses, mental illness, and treatment facilities are filled up, leaving grieving families yearning for a miracle that may never come.

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The only option I have found for overcoming drug addiction is PERSONAL DECISION. Forget about all the constraints and rules imposed by the government; the beauty of crime is that it is always looking for a better method to operate. It is up to these young people to decide whether or not to continue, but would they?

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I have lost friends to drug addictions, which is terrible I wish to thrash these drugs, but their addiction has escalated to the point where they need them to survive.
Every time the blunt was passed around, they would invite me to just "drag." It is not the dragging that is the issue; it is the consistency with which you drag till you do not know when to stop.

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Cultism, Gang Wars, and Violence are the upcoming juvenile crimes. In this region of the world, this has to be the best on the list. It is as a result of the circumstances involved. I would like to believe that the result of Cultism is due to a misinterpretation of fraternity. Cultism is conceivable due to brainwashing and a false perception of the initiation group. It is just a society where the most vulnerable adolescents are promised safety, a good reputation, and a family.

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Our backgrounds are sometimes a factor in our entry into these groups, as well as a little peer pressure to persuade teenagers. These are the requirements for participating in such violence.

I remember walking out of High School and seeing gang battles, bottles flying left and right, and most often gunshots—another day in the neighborhood for a bright young person to die as a result of violence.

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Most of these organizations are funded by the government as instruments to destroy opposition members, pursuing those who you need is difficult.When I hear gunshots, I become used to sleeping with my eyes closed. It seemed like a common sound in the area. The only thing required of you is to do well in the 100m race when it occurs.

Consistent efforts to recruit fresh adolescents into these groups to fight for a ridiculous and pointless cause. It is merely a baseless hatred towards one another. These concerns are to blame for regional insecurity, as well as the loss of lives and property.

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Cultism awareness must be properly increased; most members are misled into believing the false benefits associated with membership. The most terrible aspect of these behaviors is that you cannot leave once you are inside.

With the rising rate of unemployment in this region of the world, it is certainly not a bad idea to pick up guns- "thoughts of most youths"

It is very easy to be persuaded to join these groups by peers. Natural resources such as oil and gas were another driving element in the development of violence in my region. Militancy was born when oil employees were kidnapped, surveillance guards were killed, and oil lines were tapped.

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Amnesty and enhanced public representation appear to be feasible approaches in the battle against militancy. The government was alone responsible for finding solutions to this situation. Another excellent approach to aid is through youth empowerment programs.

"Cyber Crimes" has become the new and ongoing juvenile crime over time. This is the new world order in this region. I would want to point out that cybercrime has significantly reduced gang violence and cultism.

The idea is straightforward: "Why take up guns and sacrifice ourselves when we can make money sitting in front of a phone or laptop?"

There are several types of cybercrime in today's society. It would entail dating under false names, using international cards, and clearing funds or life savings using fraudulent information.It appears to be the new gold; it requires a good phone, power supply, and data, as well as excellent editing skills and software. These tools are widely available, and the illegal enterprise is lucrative.

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I do not pass judgment on anyone who engages in any activity. It is a prevalent issue in society with numerous aspects to investigate the causes. With unemployment rates rising daily, the need for food, clothing, and shelter is critical. Over 50 million young people are expected to be unemployed.There's a lot of pressure to provide for your family, pay bills, and manage your finances. They are generally left with little choice, thus there is no peer pressure to join. Hunger and misery are the primary motivators.

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"A hungry man is an angry man," as the proverb goes, and he/she will go to any length to survive.These are the motivating factors behind these behaviors, but they come at a cost: criminal behavior. Law enforcement is tasked with apprehending young people engaging in this crime, but most are only interested in a piece of the pie.
It appears to be a cycle fueled by hunger and suffering, pushing the majority of youths to breaking point. I doubt you'll be able to put the brakes on this voyage since recollections of your impoverished life will make you not want to return.

CONCLUSION

These are the most common crimes in my region, and with the numbers rising daily, it is incumbent on everyone to make the best decisions possible. The government is actively involved in supporting most of the crimes, and they are also required to curtail the bad vices by ensuring that improved policies are in place to minimize unemployment rates for the majority of youths.It would be beneficial to implement empowerment programs to help elevate youths.

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Good parenting would play an important role in directing the thoughts and decisions of kids entering into the youth phrase. Lastly, even with all these efforts to help reduce youth crimes, it falls on the everyone to decide what they choose to do with their lives. Hopefully, we can make good decisions as Youths

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