Court Jails Three ‘Shilla’ Gang Members 18 Years For Extortion

An Adamawa State court has sentenced three members of the notorious “Shilla” gang to a cumulative 18 years in prison without an option of fine for violent attacks and extortion in Yola.

The convicts were sentenced in two separate cases prosecuted by the Adamawa State Police Command.

In the first case, Muhammed Aminu, a resident of Anguwan Tana, Yola North Local Government Area, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment without an option of fine by Chief Magistrate Court 2, Yola.

Aminu was prosecuted by Inspector Ahmed Abubakar for voluntarily causing grievous hurt and extortion.

The police said the convict attacked Zaraddeen Abdullahi of Bekaji, Jimeta, with a weapon, inflicted injuries on him and allegedly extorted his mobile phone valued at N80,000.

Aminu pleaded guilty to the charges.

The prosecution subsequently presented additional witnesses and tendered exhibits, which were admitted in evidence by the court.

In the second case, Abubakar Mohamed and Mohamed Jibrilla, both residents of Shinko, Yola North LGA, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of fine for criminal conspiracy and extortion.

The duo were prosecuted by Inspector Adamu Umar.

According to the police, the convicts conspired and attacked Emmanuel Luka with knives before dispossessing him of three mobile phones.

They both pleaded guilty to the charges, while a prosecution witness corroborated their pleas.

Reacting to the convictions, the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, commended the police prosecutors, investigators and other officers whose efforts led to the successful prosecution of the cases.

Hassan reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain its crackdown on “Shilla” gangs and other criminal groups accused of terrorising residents through violence, extortion and intimidation.

He also assured residents that the command would continue to work with the judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure the diligent investigation and prosecution of criminal suspects.

The police commissioner warned members of criminal gangs, particularly “Shilla” groups, that there would be no hiding place for criminals in the state.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities through established police channels.