The Adamawa State Government has urged parents and guardians for support for the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, in order to address instances of insecurity in the state.
According to the administration, this is now necessary due to the increase in attacks by armed youths gangs in the state known as the Shila boys.
Speaking to reporters in Yola on Tuesday, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta-George, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa, stated that the government was addressing the security concerns brought on by the criminal activities of youths who are robbing people of their possessions by employing deadly weapons.
It was reported that young people riding about on commercial tricycles known as Keke Marwa, often equipped with lethal weapons, are wreaking havoc throughout the state.
Usman Mohammed, 19, was detained by the police last week and is believed to be responsible for the majority of the robberies carried out by the Shila boys group.
Armed with sharp cutlasses, the suspect and another person who is currently at large attacked and took a woman’s phone.
Additionally, on Sunday morning, an unidentified group ambushed churchgoers and took over twenty people’s phones.
Governor Fintiri, according to Kaletapwa, was appalled by the development as it involved physically fit adolescents who turned to crime and other bad habits rather than putting their talents to good use.
She did, however, add that parental guidance may assist to steer young people away from criminality and that family intervention was crucial in tackling the security crisis.
She stated, “Ahmadu Fintiri, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State sends a message mainly for our youth, since Shila guys have been engaging in more activities lately in parts of the local government areas. We want to implore our young people to focus their energies on what will benefit them in the long run.
The governor also advises parents to refrain from supporting their children’s unethical behavior. As parents, we have a responsibility to exercise extreme caution and teach our kids the direction they need to become tomorrow’s leaders.
“Parents, please make sure that your children are not doing anything that is against the law and that they are at the right place at the right time.”