Three suspected Shilla boys arrested for phone theft and planned violence

Three young men linked to the notorious Shilla Boys gang were taken into custody in Yola on allegations of robbery and planned violence.

One suspect is accused of attacking a resident and stealing his phone, while the other two are alleged to have possessed knives and cutlasses intended for use at a birthday party.

Police identified the first suspect as Abdulmalik Mohammed, 22, from the Zango area of Yola. He allegedly used a cutlass to assault the victim and confiscate his mobile phone.

A police statement noted that after the victim raised an alarm, bystanders seized the suspect and attempted to lynch him before officers arrived and secured him.

The statement, signed by Police Public Relations Officer SP Suleiman Nguroje, also linked Abdulmalik to a series of thefts in Yola, including a sewing‑machine robbery at Tsohon Kasuwa.

Nguroje reported that on 14 June 2026, officers on a confidence‑building patrol arrested two other suspected Shilla gang members: Abba Abdullahi, 17, and Abdulrahman Saidu, 16.

Both were found in possession of knives believed to be intended for use in a planned attack at a birthday party.

Nguroje added that Adamawa State Commissioner of Police Kabir Umar Hassan praised the officers for their proactive response and professionalism.