Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Adamawa State Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected members of the criminal group commonly referred to as “Shilla Boys,” following a coordinated operation involving police officers and vigilant community members under the Command’s Community Policing Initiative. The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Monday, January 5, 2026, in Nassarawo Ward, Yola North Local Government Area, after they were allegedly involved in armed robbery, housebreaking, and theft.
The suspects, identified as Auwal Inusa, Huzaifa Ahmed, and Lukman Abdullahi, all aged 19 and residents of Nassarawo Ward, were arrested at about 3:00 a.m. after allegedly breaking into a residential house along Nassarawo in the Jimeta area of Yola. According to police accounts, the suspects reportedly armed themselves with offensive weapons, including cutlasses, daggers, and knives, before invading the premises and dispossessing the occupants of their valuables.
Police sources disclosed that the operation was made possible through timely intervention by members of the local community, who noticed suspicious movements and acted swiftly. The residents reportedly confronted the suspects during their escape, successfully apprehending three of them, while a fourth suspect managed to flee the scene. The arrested individuals were subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
Items recovered from the suspects include two mobile phones, a power bank, one cutlass, and two knives, which investigators believe were used in carrying out the crime. The recovered exhibits are currently in police custody and are expected to form part of the evidence to be presented in court.
The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, CP Dankombo Morris, PSC (+), commended the community members for their courage, vigilance, and cooperation with law enforcement. He described the arrest as a practical demonstration of the effectiveness of community policing, stressing that security is a shared responsibility between the police and the public.
CP Morris urged residents across the state to sustain their collaboration with the police by promptly reporting suspicious movements and criminal activities. He noted that proactive information from the public often provides the critical lead needed to prevent crimes or apprehend suspects before they cause further harm. The Commissioner reassured citizens of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and to responding swiftly to credible information.
The phenomenon of “Shilla Boys,” often associated with young offenders involved in street crimes such as robbery, theft, and violent attacks, has been a growing concern in parts of Yola and other urban centres in Adamawa State. Security agencies have intensified patrols and community engagement initiatives in response, seeking to dismantle criminal networks and discourage youth involvement in crime through both enforcement and preventive strategies.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing, with efforts underway to track down the fourth suspect who escaped arrest. The Command stated that the three suspects currently in custody will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, in accordance with the law.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Command, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, who issued the statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police on January 9, 2026, reiterated the importance of public trust and cooperation in tackling insecurity. He emphasized that the Command remains open to information from residents and will continue to strengthen partnerships with communities as part of its broader crime prevention strategy.
Residents of the Nassarawo and Jimeta areas have welcomed the arrests, describing them as a relief and a positive signal that community vigilance can yield tangible security outcomes. Community leaders have also called on parents, guardians, and stakeholders to play active roles in guiding young people away from criminal behaviour and toward productive pursuits.
As Adamawa State continues to confront challenges related to urban crime, the latest arrests underscore the growing reliance on community-based approaches to complement conventional policing. Security experts note that sustained cooperation, combined with consistent law enforcement action, remains key to restoring and maintaining public safety across the state.
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