Investigating The Activities Of Phone Snatchers (Shila Boys) In Yola North Local Government: An Assessment Of Government Intervention

Abstract

Youths in any society are the engine of growth and development, because they provide the labour force for production of goods and services. They are also the critical segment of the population whose action and inaction can develop or destroy the hegemonies/fabrics of our society. This study is designed to investigate the activities of “Shila Boys” in Yola north local government area, Adamawa State, with a view to assessing government intervention. The activities of criminals, most especially “Shila boys “in Jimeta –the capital of Yola north local government includes phone snatching, stabbing causing injuries especially during night time, the groups also strike to some extent kill their victims using dangerous weapons like knife, machete, cutlass and even guns nowadays. The paper identify poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, lack of parental supervision and increased in drop-out and decadence in education are some of the factors responsible for the crime The effects further expose the inability of the government to effectively curb the activities of the group. The paper made used of primary source by means of interview and secondary source of data The paper conclude and recommend that in order to bring to drastically the activities of the menace, there is need for the government to key in educational sector by way of increased funding and ensuring that youths are educated. There is the need for employment opportunities and creation of skills and vocational centres for youths to be taught on various trades. There is also the need for community policing to enhance the intelligence gathering in reporting suspicious moves. Finally, there is also the need for proper prosecution of the offenders and their prosecutors to serve as deterrents to others. as they carry weapons to perpetrate their devilish act. The research is intended to identify the causes, the impact and the solution of crime especially that of Shila Boys. Five specific objectives will be used to guide the conduct of the research.