Príncipe islanders face rising home and shop robberies
Residents report stolen cash, phones, and even potatoes amid growing insecurity on the island.
Residents of Príncipe island are experiencing an unusual wave of robberies targeting homes and businesses, causing widespread concern. Domingas da Conceição reported thieves took recharge cards, cash, a mobile phone, and school backpacks from her home. Arzemiro Cassandra also lost money and a bag of potatoes in a separate incident.
The insecurity has altered the island's long-standing reputation for safety, with one merchant noting that valuables could once be left unattended. Residents attribute the rise in crime partly to frequent nighttime power outages that leave areas in darkness, creating opportunities for criminals. Some also believe the island is becoming a refuge for individuals fleeing criminal charges in São Tomé.
The escalating situation has led to calls for increased police patrols and a more effective security response. Merchants and residents alike are lamenting the change from a past where the island was considered safe enough to leave valuables exposed.
Why it mattersResidents of Príncipe island are experiencing an unusual wave of robberies targeting homes and businesses.