By Emem Nsini-Godwin
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has sentenced a notorious member of the “Shila Boys” gang, Suddais Shuaibu, popularly known as “Gafiya,” to 12 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for multiple offences, including theft, criminal conspiracy, extortion, and receiving stolen property.
Shuaibu was convicted on Friday, July 17, 2026, by Chief Magistrate Court II, presided over by Magistrate Zainab Buba, after he pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.
The court sentenced the convict to two years’ imprisonment for theft, one year for criminal conspiracy, and seven years for extortion in relation to the first and second First Information Reports (FIRs). The sentences are to run concurrently.
In a separate ruling on a third FIR, the court imposed an additional two-year jail term without the option of a fine for another count of theft, bringing his total sentence to 12 years.
Magistrate Buba also ordered Shuaibu to pay N527,000 in compensation to his victims for the losses they suffered.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Kabiru Abubakar, told the court that Shuaibu was arrested following investigations initiated by the Adamawa State Police Command under the directive of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the prosecution, the convict broke into the residence of one Fatima Magaji on Ajiya Street in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area, on June 10, 2026, and stole an Infinix Smart 10 mobile phone valued at N125,000, a Tecno phone worth N30,000, and an MP3 player valued at N3,000.
The court also heard that on June 27, 2026, Shuaibu and accomplices who remain at large attacked Usama Suleiman of Jambutu Ward, Yola North LGA, and forcefully dispossessed him of a Samsung Galaxy phone valued at N170,000 and a power bank worth N20,000.
In addition to the robbery-related offences, Shuaibu was found guilty on further counts of theft and receiving stolen property.
The conviction is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Adamawa State Police Command to dismantle the activities of the notorious “Shila Boys” criminal gang, which has been linked to a series of robberies, thefts, and violent crimes across Yola and surrounding communities.
