Development of any community the world over is measured by peaceful coexistence in that community. Therefore peace can be said to be the determining factor for any positive change to take place and government can only succeed in its developmental drive in an atmosphere devoid of conflict or harassment of citizens by criminals.
Resident of Jimeta-Yola, the Adamawa state capital, have been enjoying peace for decades until recently when the a cult group called “Yan Shila” emerged terrorising people particularly commuters who board Keke Napep by confiscating their handsets, handbags, and other valuables. It then becomes a security challenge to government and security agencies in the state. Apart from Yan Shila, there has been wide spread of kidnapping regardless of the status of a victim.
One of the numerous problems inherited by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is the issue of security which he quickly swung into action by holding a meeting with all stakeholders in the security sector and fine-tuned the mode of security operation in the state so that everyone will move freely without molestation and transact its legitimate business without any hindrance.
The governor gave the security agencies marching order to flush out criminals and their cohorts so that investors would have peace of mind to come and invest in the state. The order yielded positive result with the arrest of 252 Shila Cult boys and more than 60 kidnappers in less than a month. Beside the Governor in accompanied with head of security outfits in Adamawa paid unscheduled visit to camp of the Shila Boy nicknamed Sambisa along Mubi byepass in Jimeta town.
Due to holistic approach taken by the Fintiri administration has made it possible to crush the activities of Shila Boys in the state capital which makes the commuters boarding Keke Napep have peace of mind without thinking of fallen victim to Shila boys unlike in the past when commuters have to think twice before boarding Keke Napep particularly in the state capital where the activities of cult group is more pronounced.
For government to succeed in ensuring peaceful coexistence in all nooks and crannies of Adamawa all hands must be on deck, people should set political differences aside and support the government and security agencies by divulging useful information that will lead to the arrest of criminals since they live among us.
Hauwa Musa,
Department of Mass Communication
University of Maidudguri.
