The government said this had become imperative following the upsurge in attacks carried out by armed youth gangs in the state popularly called Shila boys.
Addressing journalists in Yola, on Tuesday, the Adamawa Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta-George, said the government was working to deal with the security issues arising from the nefarious activities of the youths using dangerous weapons to dispossess residents of their valuables.
The PUNCH reports that youths armed with dangerous weapons usually operating on commercial tricycles popularly known as Keke Marwa have been unleashing mayhem in several parts of the state.
The police had last week apprehended a 19-year-old Usman Mohammed said to be behind most robbery attacks spearheaded by the Shila boys group.
The suspect and one other now at large armed themselves with sharp cutlasses attacked, and dispossessed a lady of her phone.
A yet-to-be-identified gang also recently attacked churchgoers on Sunday morning dispossessing over 20 persons of their phones.
Kaletapwa said Governor Fintiri was dismayed by the development because it involved able-bodied youths who instead of using their energies for productive enterprise, resorted to criminality and other negative vices.
She, however, said the intervention of parents was critical in addressing the security challenge, adding that parental guidance could help turn the youths away from crime.
She said, “The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, sends this message especially to our youths because in recent times there has been some heightened activities of Shila boys around some of the local government areas. We want to plead with our youths to use their energies for what is good for their future.
“The governor also calls on parents not to condone our youths when they engage in things that are not honourable. As parents, we should be very careful and provide the guidance that would allow our children to grow up to be leaders of tomorrow.”
“Parents should please ensure that our children are at the right place at the right time and they are not engaging in things that are not allowed by law.”
