A 24-year-old Gambian man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his housemate in Birmingham.

Abdou Sillah was found guilty of murdering 29-year-old Kiirpal Nhian and possessing a bladed article following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court in July.

Nhian was found collapsed in the garden of the shared property on Swanage Road, Small Heath, shortly before 6.40pm on 20 December 2025. He had suffered a stab wound to the chest and was later pronounced dead.

West Midlands Police said CCTV enquiries later identified Sillah and showed him leaving the address shortly after the stabbing.

He was arrested several days later. At the time of his arrest, police said he was carrying a knife and wearing clothing similar to that seen in the CCTV footage.

Police said homicide detectives, supported by forensic officers and other teams, pieced together the evidence during the investigation. Sillah was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

Following his conviction, Sillah was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 22 years.

Detective Inspector Ade George, from the West Midlands Police Homicide Unit, said officers had worked with forensic teams and others across the force to establish the evidence and locate Sillah.

“Our thoughts remain with everyone who knew Kiirpal and have been affected by his death,” he said.