Police nab three suspected gang members in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested three suspected criminals, including two alleged members of the Shilla gang. This was part of their efforts to reduce violent crime in Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas.

The police shared this news in a statement on Tuesday from their Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya.

The statement said, "The Adamawa State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its fight against Shilla gangsterism and other violent crimes within Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas."

One suspect, 22-year-old Abdulmalik Mohammed from the Zango area, was arrested on June 12. He was accused of attacking a passenger in a commercial tricycle along the Doubeli Bye-Pass.

According to the police, the suspect was armed with a cutlass. He “reportedly attacked the victim and dispossessed him of his mobile phone.”

The public helped capture the suspect after the victim raised an alarm. People tried to take the law into their own hands before officers from the Doubeli Divisional Police Headquarters stepped in and arrested him.

The police said preliminary investigations linked Abdulmalik to several theft cases in Yola, including the theft of a sewing machine at Tsohon Kasuwa. They are working to identify and arrest others involved in these crimes.

In another operation on June 14, police officers on patrol arrested two suspected Shilla gang members, Abba Abdullahi, 17, and Abdulrahman Saidu, 16.

The police found dangerous knives in their possession. The statement mentioned these knives were “suspected to have been intended for use in committing criminal acts at a birthday party.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, praised the officers for their “proactive response and professionalism” during these operations.

The police chief “reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling Shilla gangs and other criminal groups threatening the peace and security of residents.”

The police also called on residents to keep supporting them with timely and credible information. They assured that all reports would be handled with the highest confidentiality.