Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Adamawa State Police Command has secured the conviction of an 18-year-old notorious 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 sitting in Yola. The conviction, which followed his prosecution on multiple criminal charges including theft, criminal conspiracy, extortion, and receiving stolen property, marks a significant victory in the state's ongoing crackdown on the infamous "Shila Boys" gang that has terrorised residents of Yola and surrounding communities for years.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Zainab Buba, handed down the sentence after Shuaibu pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him by the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police through prosecuting counsel, Inspector Kabiru Abubakar. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the court imposed two years imprisonment for theft, one year for criminal conspiracy, and seven years for extortion relating to the first and second First Information Reports. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. An additional two years imprisonment without the option of a fine was imposed for another theft charge contained in the third FIR, bringing his total effective sentence to 12 years. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered Shuaibu to pay N527,000 as compensation to his victims.
Police investigations revealed that on June 10, 2026, the convict broke into the residence of Fatima Magaji at Ajiya Street, 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. In a separate incident on June 27, 2026, Shuaibu and other suspected gang members, who are still at large, attacked Usama Suleiman of Jambutu Ward, 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 suspect was identified at the scene, arrested, and later confessed to the crime, during which he implicated another suspect identified as Adamu Mahmud, also known as "Lakulaku," who remains at large.
The "Shila Boys" gang, which emerged around 2017, has been a persistent security threat in Adamawa State, with members predominantly comprising unemployed youth, including some displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency that pushed them out of their homes in the northern part of the state. The gang specializes in robbing residents of phones, cash, and other personal possessions, often in broad daylight, and has been linked to a series of robberies, thefts, and violent crimes across Yola and surrounding communities. The conviction of Gafiya is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Adamawa State Police Command to dismantle the activities of this notorious criminal network.
Reacting to the conviction, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kabiru Umar Hassan, praised investigators and prosecutors for securing the judgment, describing it as a strong warning to criminal elements operating in the state. He stressed that the command remains committed to ensuring offenders are brought to justice and reassured residents that the ongoing crackdown on violent crimes, gang activities, and other criminal offences would continue. The police have also urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible and timely information to aid crime prevention and law enforcement.
The conviction of Suddais Shuaibu sends a clear message that the Adamawa State Police Command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements. With the "Shila Boys" gang having been a source of fear for many residents, this landmark judgment is expected to restore some confidence in the ability of law enforcement to protect lives and property. As the police continue their manhunt for other members of the gang, residents are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to ensure that justice is served and lasting peace is restored to the state.
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