The Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yola, Adamawa State, has ordered the remand of two teenage boys and an adult scavenger for allegedly stealing and receiving a generator worth N600,000 from a mosque. The court’s decision came after the defendants were arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property. The two minors, 14-year-old Saidu Alhassan and 13-year-old Mamman, both residents of PZ Roundabout in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area, were ordered to be held in a juvenile remand home. The third defendant, Auwalu Bashir, a scavenger, was remanded in prison custody.
The case was brought before the court by Inspector Emmanuel Paul, a police prosecutor, who presented the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Murtala Isa, a resident of Jambutu Primary School in Yola North LGA. According to the prosecutor, the theft was reported to the Jambutu Police Station on June 13, 2026, after the generator was discovered missing from the mosque. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the three suspects.
Inspector Paul told the court that the two minors allegedly stole the Perso Power Generator at different times and sold it to Auwalu Bashir for N50,000 each. The generator, valued at N600,000, was reportedly used for religious activities at the mosque. The prosecutor emphasized that the minors acted in concert with the scavenger, who knowingly received the stolen property, thereby committing an offence under Nigerian criminal law.
The court, after hearing the charges, ordered the remand of the minors to a juvenile remand home to ensure their welfare and protection, as required by law for underage offenders. Auwalu Bashir, being an adult, was remanded in prison custody pending further investigation and trial. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crime, particularly the theft from a place of worship, and stressed the need for justice to be served.
This case highlights growing concerns over youth involvement in criminal activities in urban areas of Adamawa State. It also underscores the importance of community vigilance and the role of law enforcement in protecting public and religious property. The prosecution has vowed to continue its investigation to ensure all parties involved are brought to justice.
The outcome of this case may influence future legal actions in similar incidents involving minors and stolen property in the region. Authorities are urged to strengthen youth empowerment programs to prevent such crimes in the future.
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