As economic bites, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the notorious hoodlums ‘’Shila- Boys’’ known for stealing, snatching valuables, and committing other anti-social acts in Adamawa have again gone on a rampage, which resulted in the killing of three in Jimeta by the mob.
Adamawa state Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had on assumption into office vowed to tackle the Shila-boys menace and other social vices plaguing the state as the state government purchased over 60 Hilux vehicles for Operation Farauta, for the purpose of tackling the menace of the gangster, kidnappings, and other security challenges.
Eyewitnesses said that the recalcitrant hoodlums met their waterloo was trying to snatch away handbags of some passersby.
‘’The Shilla boys were caught at around 9 pm this Saturday’s night 9th May, while trying to snatch away bags and mobile phones of some women who were coming out of the Specialist Hospital.
‘’They were given hot-chased by angry passersby and were caught near Microfinance bank.
‘’Four killed instantly; to serve as a deterrence,’’ said an eye witness who doesn’t want to be named.
Reports say that the hoodlums had earlier attacked some shops along Bauchi street and Damilu areas during which the snatched phones and valuables and inflicted injuries on some residents.
‘’ It seems these Shila boys are on a rampage, and turn tactics because from snatching handbags or phones they are now robbing people.
‘’ Not less than an hour, this Saturday they wreaked havoc at one chemist along Bauchi street here in Jimeta.
‘’ They snatched about six handset-phones, just as the victims were injured seriously,’’ Grace John another resident added.
Residents groan
Reacting on the increasing heinous attacks by Shila boys a public affairs commentator Comrade Mustapha Atiku Ribadu decried, ‘’ This Shilla boys ‘epidemic’ is going out of hand, Jimeta and Yola no safer.’’
Ribadu charged concern authorities to take serious action on the matter as he prevailed on parents and residents to help in curbing the Shila-boys menace, ’’proactive measure need to be taken by the State Government and other relevant authorities to bring to an end their menace before it’s late,’’ Ribadu urges.
Another concerned resident Ijai Pius Adilawanda Mamza laments that‘’ It seems Shila boys headquarters now is Damilu’s opposite gate of air force quarter guard.
‘’They are operating at free will, unchallenged, snatching phones and valuables and inflicting injuries on their victims. Most of them are aged between 14-18.
‘’I am calling on the local authorities to act as a matter of urgency to curb the activities of these satanic groups in the state capital Yola.’’
Also lamenting a public school teacher who simply identified himself as Mallam Baba said, ‘’ the Shila Boys are sons, our brothers, our neighbors, and our siblings.
‘’The time of blames games are over, we are not going to hold our hands and wait for the government and security agencies to tackle the situation alone. Yes, it is a government responsibility to protect our lives and property, but we have to give ours on quota.
‘’Like I said, Jimeta is falling! Indeed it is, for the past five years Jimeta is experiencing this issue of Shila boys.
‘’Killing them is not the solution, the solution is we must work together, our stakeholders must sit down together with our traditional institution the likes of Masu Anguwanni, Masu Jimillu, and thank God our amiable Hakimi-District head is already doing his best interns of curtailing the situation.
‘’Please if you know that your son, brother, or your neighbor is among those boys Please report him to the nearest security instead of him been killed by a mob.
‘’ I want to commend our security operatives more especially Operation Farauta, and also the state government, and I won’t Forget Alh. Inuwa Baba Paris, the district head of Jimeta.’’
In the meantime, Police spokesman in the state Suleiman Nguroje had confirmed the killing of the recalcitrant Shila boys, as investigation commenced.
‘’ Three notorious shila boys were beaten by angry-passersby after they snatched some valuables.
‘’ Police patrol team rushed to the scene to rescue them and were taken to hospital minutes but later they gave-up due to the injuries they sustained,’’ said he.
Nguroje a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) warned residents not to be taking laws into their hands thereby committing ‘jungle justice’.
‘’ People should stop taking laws onto their hands, rather should report any matter to the constituted relevant authorities.
‘’Already, the state police commissioner had since ordered for an investigation into the incident, and parents should warn their children and siblings.’’
The state Police Command had in last March arrested and paraded 48 members of the notorious gang Shila Boys.
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