The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested three teenagers alleged to be members of the notorious Shilla gang, following an armed robbery incident that jolted residents of Yola in the early hours of the morning.
According to the Command, the suspects were apprehended through a joint effort between the police and vigilant residents who responded swiftly when the gang reportedly broke into a home in the Nassarawo area of Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area.
The three suspects have been identified as 19-year-old Auwal Inusa, 19-year-old Huzaifa Ahmed, and 19-year-old Lukman Abdullahi, all said to be residents of Nassarawo Ward. Police describe them as suspected members of the Shilla Boys, a gang that has become synonymous with street crime, phone snatching, and violent robbery in parts of Adamawa State.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the Command explained that the arrests were made after community members, already sensitised under the police Community Policing Initiative, raised an alarm and confronted the suspects.
Police said the gang had allegedly armed themselves with cutlasses, daggers, and knives before storming a residential building along Nassarawo, Jimeta. The occupants were reportedly dispossessed of their valuables during the attack.
Nguroje stated that the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m., when most residents were asleep. The commotion from the robbery, however, drew the attention of neighbours, who quickly mobilised and alerted security operatives.
“Members of the community intercepted and arrested three out of four suspects while one escaped,” the statement noted, adding that the prompt response of residents was crucial in preventing the gang from fleeing with all the stolen items.
Items recovered from the suspects include two mobile phones, a power bank, one cutlass, and two knives, which investigators believe were used in the commission of the crime. The recovered weapons and gadgets have been taken into evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, commended the residents for their courage and cooperation, describing the arrests as a practical example of how community policing can help curb crime. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to continue sharing timely information with law enforcement agencies.
Morris stressed that the Command is intensifying efforts to track down the fourth suspect who escaped during the confrontation. He assured residents that the police would not relent in dismantling criminal networks operating in Yola and other parts of the state.
The police further disclosed that the three arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation. Investigators are working to establish the full extent of their activities, possible links to other robberies, and the identity of their fleeing accomplice.
Upon conclusion of the investigation, the suspects are expected to be charged in court to face prosecution for offences bordering on armed robbery, housebreaking, and theft.
The Shilla gang, to which the suspects allegedly belong, has over the years evolved from a loosely organised group of street thugs into a more structured criminal network. Initially associated with political thuggery and intimidation, the group has been repeatedly linked to violent robberies, especially targeting commuters, pedestrians, and residents in urban centres such as Yola.
Local reports and security briefings indicate that the gang’s activities became more pronounced around 2015, when they were first widely noticed for attacking perceived political opponents. Over time, however, their operations shifted from politically motivated violence to outright criminality, including snatching phones, handbags, and other valuables, often using knives and other sharp objects to threaten or injure victims.
In response, the Adamawa State Police Command has launched several crackdowns, arresting dozens of suspected Shilla members in periodic raids. These operations have been complemented by public awareness campaigns urging residents, particularly youths, to shun gang activities and by encouraging communities to work closely with security agencies.
The Adamawa State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging anyone with information about the escaped suspect or other criminal activities to come forward. The Command maintains that anonymity and safety of informants will be guaranteed as part of its broader strategy to build a safer environment for all residents.
