The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Police has detained 15 individuals suspected to be affiliated with the notorious cult known locally as the “Shila Boys.”
The arrest, which occurred during the Sallah festivities on Wednesday and Thursday, primarily targeted areas within the metropolitan Yola South and Yola North LGAs, as well as surrounding regions.
A statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Suleiman Nguroje, highlighted the recovery of nine mobile phones, a POS machine, assorted dangerous weapons, and narcotics during the operation. This seizure further strengthens the suspicion of the suspects’ involvement in phone-snatching activities, a hallmark of the dreaded “Shila Boys” group.
The identified suspects include Abdullahi Shuaibu (18), Auwal Saleh (18), Usman Abdullahi (21), Auwal Isah (20), Usman Ahmadu (32), Muhammad Abubakar (18), Jamilu Hassan (19), Abdulsalam Abdullahi (20), Salisu Umar (19), Yahya Umaru (25), Salahudeen Auwal (18), Yusuf Ahmed (20), Jamilu Sani (18), Abraham Joel (18), and Muhammad Auwal (19).
Expressing gratitude, the Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, commended the collaborative efforts of the Adamawa State community in combating armed robbery, housebreaking, and other violent crimes perpetrated by the radical “Shila” cult group.