The Adamawa State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against the notorious Shilla gangs following the conviction and sentencing of an 18-year-old gang member, Suddais Shuaibu, popularly known as “Gafiya,” to 12 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The judgment, delivered by Chief Magistrate Court II in Yola, is being viewed as a significant victory in the state’s efforts to curb the activities of youth gangs responsible for a wave of theft, robbery and extortion across parts of the state.
According to the police, Shuaibu was arraigned on three counts of theft, criminal conspiracy, extortion and receiving stolen property under the Adamawa State Penal Code, 2018.
The court convicted the defendant on all counts, sentencing him to two years’ imprisonment for theft, one year for criminal conspiracy, seven years for extortion, and another two years for theft.
All the sentences are to run concurrently, resulting in a prison term of 12 years without the option of a fine.
Beyond the custodial sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay N527,000 as compensation to victims affected by his criminal activities.
Police investigations showed that on June 10, 2026, the convict allegedly broke into the residence of Fatima Magaji at Ajiya Street in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area, where he stole an Infinix Smart 10 mobile phone valued at N125,000, a Tecno phone worth N30,000 and an MP3 player valued at N3,000.
Further investigations established that on June 27, 2026, Shuaibu, alongside other suspected gang members who are still at large, allegedly attacked Usama Suleiman of Jambutu Ward in Yola North Local Government Area and forcefully dispossessed him of a Samsung Galaxy phone valued at N170,000 and a power bank worth N20,000.
The police said the suspect was identified during the attack, arrested shortly afterwards and confessed to the offences during interrogation.
His confession also allegedly implicated one Adamu Mahmud, popularly known as “Lakulaku,” whom investigators identified as the alleged leader of the criminal gang and who remains 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 preferred against him.
The prosecution also called a witness whose testimony corroborated the defendant’s confessional statement, paving the way for his conviction.
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Reacting to the judgment, the Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, Kabiru Hassan, commended the investigators and prosecutors for their professionalism, commitment and diligence, describing the conviction as another milestone in the command’s sustained offensive against criminal gangs operating in the state.
He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to identify, arrest and prosecute members of the notorious Shilla gangs and other criminal elements, stressing that anyone involved in criminal activities would be brought to justice.
The police commissioner also appealed to residents to continue partnering with security agencies by providing timely and credible information capable of preventing crime and aiding ongoing investigations.
