From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Adamawa State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities, with the arrest of 11 suspected members of the notorious “Shilla Boys” gang operating in Yola and Jimeta.
The arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, aimed at curbing the activities of violent gangs and enhancing public safety across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the operation was carried out by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in collaboration with other tactical units of the command.
The coordinated raid targeted identified criminal hideouts and black spots within Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas as part of sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
Those arrested were identified as Aliyu Idris (18), Mukhtar Abubakar (28), Amir Dan Asabe (23), Joel Timothy (23), Isaac Isah (26), Hassan Salisu (19), Nyon Ayuba (32), Saidu Musa (22), Adamu Yau (20), Adamu Muhammed (36), and Nasiru Bala (20).
Police investigations linked the suspects to acts of gangsterism, violent attacks, unlawful possession of dangerous weapons, and the consumption and distribution of illicit drugs, all of which pose serious threats to peace and security in the area.
Items recovered during the operation included knives, daggers, machetes, and cutlasses allegedly used in carrying out criminal activities. The police also recovered suspected illicit drugs from the suspects.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling crime, CP Hassan warned criminal elements in the state to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law.
He stressed that the command would not relent in its efforts to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all residents of Adamawa State.
According to the police, following preliminary investigations, the suspects were arraigned before a competent court, which ordered their remand in a correctional custodial centre pending further legal proceedings.
The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities.
