Waec 2022 English Question 7

Armed robbery is one of the most condemnable crimes in the contemporary society. People have been maimed or killed for their money or belongings in the past, but never has robbery with violence been experienced on such a large scale as observed recently. Armed robbery is typically motivated by the desire to obtain money and valuables. However, some armed robbers engage in the crime with the intention of boosting their status. Whatever the motivation, the act is inhumane and can result in injury and sometimes the death of the victims. It is rather unfortunate that in almost all modern societies there are always groups of unemployed young people. Some are unemployed because they have little or no education and lack skills. What is even worse, these young people are often unprepared for and unwilling to do any manual work to earn an honest living. They tend to blame society for their plight and retaliate by indulging in acts of crime and lawlessness. They grab money and valuable properties of their victim to enable them to survive in a society which seems to ignore them. To reduce the instances of armed robbery, parents should do their best to nurture their children in the right way because charity begins at home. They should instil good values in them and should not hesitate to correct them early in life when they bring home something that does not belong to them. The rich on the other hand, who are mostly the target of armed robbers, provide another cause. Some show off their wealth ostentatiously, live flamboyantly, go about in flashy and sophisticated cars, shop from one exotic island to another on holidays, and brag about all their escapades on social media much to the annoyance and envy of the unemployed youth. To bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots, the government should provide the necessities for its citizens. Social services should be made available to those without jobs. The provision of such amenities to cater for the entire populace would help to improve the living conditions of the unemployed and underdeveloped. The adequate provision of infrastructure would ensure that every individual has access to the basic comforts of life. The breakdown of traditional systems, resulting in loss of moral and spiritual values, has made wealth the only thing of value in the eyes of the youth. The ostentatious display of ill-gotten wealth is applauded and the society hardly questions its source. Many young people therefore engage in all manner of nefarious activities including armed robbery to make money in order to enjoy the delight and comforts of modern life and above all, be celebrated by their society. Law enforcement authorities can further reduce the spate of armed robberies by monitoring places known for high incidence of the crime. Constant and intrusive patrols of crime-prone areas can deter potential offenders.