Adamawa: Shilla gang member jailed 12 years for robbery, others
A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, has convicted an 18-year-old notorious gang member of ‘Shilla criminal elements’, Suddais Shuaibu alias, popularly known as “Gafiya”, to twelve years imprisonment without option of fine. The Shilla gang specialises in using tricycle to lure unsuspecting victims before attacking, assaulting, robbing or raping them. […]
A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, has convicted an 18-year-old notorious gang member of ‘Shilla criminal elements’, Suddais Shuaibu alias, popularly known as “Gafiya”, to twelve years imprisonment without option of fine.
The Shilla gang specialises in using tricycle to lure unsuspecting victims before attacking, assaulting, robbing or raping them.
Gafiya and other members had been on the wanted list of the law enforcement agency for nefarious activities.
Police prosecutor, inspector, Kabir Abub akar, arraigned the convict on three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) bordering on theft, criminal conspiracy, extortion, and receiving stolen property, contrary to the relevant provisions of the Adamawa State Penal Code Law, 2018.
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The prosecutor informed the court that discreet investigation had revealed that on the 10th June, 2026, the convict unlawfully broke into the residence of Fatima Magaji at Ajiya Street, Jimeta, Yola North LGA, and stole an Infinix Smart 10 mobile phone valued at ₦125,000, a Tecno phone valued at ₦30,000, and an MP3 player valued at ₦3,000 respectively.
Further investigation by the prosecutor established that on 27th June, 2026, the convict, in company of other gang members currently at large, attacked one Usama Suleiman of Jambutu Ward, Yola North LGA and forcefully dispossessed him of a Samsung Galaxy phone valued at ₦170,000 and a power bank valued at ₦20,000.
After his arrest, the convict subsequently confessed to the crime, implicating one Adamu Mahmud, also known as “Lakulaku”, believed to be the leader of the criminal gang.
The prosecution further established the defendant’s involvement in another case of theft and receiving stolen property.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to all the charges, while the prosecution presented a witness whose testimony corroborated the defendant’s confessional statement, leading to his conviction.
After the prosecution proof of the matter beyond reasonable doubt, the Court convicted and sentenced the defendant as to two (2) years imprisonment for theft, One (1) year imprisonment for criminal conspiracy, Seven (7) years imprisonment for extortion on the first and second FIRs as well as two (2) years imprisonment for theft on the third FIR.
In her ruling on Thursday, Magistrate Zainab A. Buba held that all sentences were handed down without option of fine and are to run concurrently, amounting to an effective 12-year jail term.
In addition to the custodial sentence, she ordered the convict to pay ₦527,000 as compensation to the victims across the three cases.
Speaking on the landmark conviction, the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabiru Umar Hassan, commended the dedication and professionalism of the investigators and prosecutors whose diligent efforts resulted in the successful conviction.
CP Hassan reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring that all criminal elements, particularly members of the notorious Shilla gangs, are identified, arrested, prosecuted, and made to face the full weight of the law.
The Commissioner further assured residents of the state that the ongoing crackdown on violent crimes and other criminal activities will be sustained.
He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information that will aid in preventing and combating criminal activities in the state.