Police Arrests Three-man Gang Robbing Church Goers In Adamawa

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Adamawa State application authorities have announced the arrest of three members of the notorious “Shila Boys”, a gang of hoodlums that specialize in robbing ,maiming and hacking down unsuspecting residents.

A statement on Sunday, December ,29, 2024 from the State Police Command spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje SP, said the three “Shila Boys” were apprehended early Sunday morning ,while robbing several Christians on  their way to the last Service of the year.

Two members of the group, however, escaped, the police stated.

According to the Police, the hoodlums stationed themselves on  Bishop Street, a very busy and strategic road that connects to many  prominent and big Churches in Jimeta ,robbing and dispossessing Church goers early in the morning.

The street leads to such big Churches as Living Faith Church, a.k.a Winners Chapel, St Theresa Catholic Cathedral, the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Yola ,as well as other Orthodox  and new generation Churches.

The arrest, according to the police spokesman, was made following the  receipt of some credible intelligence by operatives who stormed the scene early Sunday morning.

However, the police noted that the suspects, before finally being arrested, attacked operatives with machetes, and other dangerous weapons in a bid to escape.

This, the Police stated, led to operatives resorting to the use of minimum force, which in turn resulted in the suspects being injured.

The Police spokesman  informed that the suspects  are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility, as well as assisting in its investigations .

“Upon reaching the scene,the suspects aggressively attacked the police officers with machetes and knives in an attempt to resist arrest .

“In a bid to neutralize the attack ,minimum   force was used..

“Three of the suspects were arrested ,while two others escaped ” Nguroge noted.

Several ATM Cards, phones and a tricycle were some of the items recovered from the suspects, the police stated.