Adamawa: Three youths nabbed after failed attempt to snatch man’s phone

Three youths have been arrested in Yola, Adamawa State, after a scuffle with a man over his phone.

The youths, said to be among notorious young criminal elements known around Adamawa State as Shila Boys, had deceptively operated their Keke NAPEP as a passenger vehicle.

They picked up their victim, only to turn on him and attempt to remove his phone from his pocket.

The man, incidentally a police officer, resisted, leading to the scuffle.

The suspects—Hamza Ibrahim, 19 years old; Auwal Kolo, also 19 years old; and Mubarak Sadiq, the owner of the tricycle used in the operation—have confessed their intention to steal the victim’s phone.

They admitted to the police that they picked up their victim and, instead of conveying him to his destination, suddenly diverted and headed to Mahmud Ribadu Square, a popular event venue that has recently become a hub of criminal activities due to its largely secluded location in the capital city.

While en route to Mahmud Ribadu Square, Kolo allegedly put his hand into the police officer’s pocket, attempted to remove his phone, and threatened to kill him upon his resistance.

During the fight in the moving tricycle, the police officer allegedly hit Hamza, who was riding, causing the Keke to sway and all of them to fall onto the street.

The suspects were subsequently rounded up.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident and the arrests.

He assured that the suspects, who have since confessed to the crime, would be charged to court.