The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested three suspected criminals, including two alleged members of the notorious Shilla gang, in separate operations conducted across Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas as part of efforts to curb violent crime and criminal activities in the state.
The command described the arrests as a major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against gangsterism and other security threats within the Yola metropolis.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya, said one of the suspects, Abdulmalik Mohammed, 22, of the Zango area of Yola, was arrested on June 12 following an alleged attack on a passenger aboard a commercial tricycle along the Doubeli Bye-Pass.
According to the police spokesman, the suspect, armed with a cutlass, allegedly dispossessed the victim of his mobile phone before attempting to flee.
“Following a distress call and alarm raised by the victim, members of the public apprehended the suspect and attempted to subject him to mob action before operatives attached to the Doubeli Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly intervened and took him into custody,” Yahaya said.
He disclosed that preliminary investigations linked the suspect to a series of theft incidents within Yola metropolis, including the theft of a sewing machine at Tsohon Kasuwa.
“Initial findings indicate that the suspect may be connected to other theft cases reported in the metropolis. Investigation is ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to identify and arrest other accomplices involved in the criminal activities,” he added.
In a separate operation conducted on June 14, police operatives on confidence-building patrol arrested two suspected members of the Shilla gang identified as Abba Abdullahi, 17, and Abdulrahman Saidu, 16.
The police said the suspects were intercepted while allegedly carrying dangerous knives suspected to have been intended for criminal use.
“The suspects were found in possession of dangerous knives believed to have been intended for use in committing criminal acts at a birthday party. The timely intervention of our operatives prevented what could have resulted in a breach of public peace,” Yahaya stated.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, commended the officers involved in the operations, describing their actions as a reflection of the command’s commitment to proactive policing.
“The Command remains resolute in dismantling Shilla gangs and other criminal groups threatening the peace and security of residents across the state. We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven and community-based policing strategies to ensure public safety,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.
He also urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid crime prevention and criminal investigations.
“We encourage members of the public to continue partnering with the police through the provision of useful information. All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and professionalism,” Hassan added.
The Adamawa State Police Command reiterated its determination to sustain ongoing operations against criminal elements and maintain law and order across the state.
