Adamawa Police Secure Conviction of Suspected Shilla Gang Member, Court Jails Him 12 Years

YOLA —By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola

The Adamawa State Police Command has secured the conviction of an 18-year-old suspected Shilla gang member, Suddais Shuaibu, popularly known as “Gafiya,” who has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine by Chief Magistrate Court II in Yola.

The conviction is considered a significant development in the Command’s efforts to tackle the activities of Shilla gangs, which have been linked to cases of theft, robbery and extortion in parts of the state.

Police said the defendant was arraigned by the Commissioner of Police through the prosecuting officer, Inspector Kabiru Abubakar, on three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) involving charges of theft, criminal conspiracy, extortion and receiving stolen property under the Adamawa State Penal Code Law, 2018.

The court sentenced Shuaibu to two years’ imprisonment for theft, one year for criminal conspiracy, seven years for extortion relating to the first and second FIRs, and another two years for theft in the third FIR. The sentences are to run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of 12 years without the option of a fine.

In addition to the jail term, the court ordered the convict to pay ₦527,000 as compensation to victims across the three cases.

According to police investigations, Shuaibu allegedly broke into the residence of Fatima Magaji on Ajiya Street in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area, on June 10, 2026, and stole an Infinix Smart 10 mobile phone valued at ₦125,000, a Tecno phone worth ₦30,000 and an MP3 player valued at ₦3,000.

Investigators also alleged that on June 27, 2026, the suspect, in company with other gang members who remain at large, attacked Usama Suleiman of Jambutu Ward in Yola North LGA and robbed him of a Samsung Galaxy phone valued at ₦170,000 and a power bank worth ₦20,000.

Police said the suspect was identified during the incident, arrested and later confessed to the offences, implicating one Adamu Mahmud, also known as “Lakulaku,” as the alleged leader of the gang, who is still at large.

The prosecution further linked the defendant to another case involving theft and receiving stolen property. During his arraignment, Shuaibu pleaded guilty to all the charges. A prosecution witness also testified, corroborating the defendant’s confessional statement, leading to his conviction.

Reacting to the judgment, the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, Kabiru Umar Hassan, commended the investigators and prosecutors for their professionalism and dedication, describing the conviction as a major step in the Command’s campaign against criminal gangs.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to identifying, arresting and prosecuting members of Shilla gangs and other criminal elements, while urging residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and investigation.

The Command said it would sustain its crackdown on violent crimes and other forms of criminality to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.If this is intended for publication, I can also make it read more like a Daily Trust, The Punch, or Premium Times news report.