April 23, (THEWILL) — The Plateau State High Court has ordered the remand of four suspects linked to the Angwa Rukuba killings in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), following a delay in proceedings caused by the absence of defence counsel.
The suspects, including Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and Adamu Isa Alhassan, were arraigned on Thursday before Courts 9 and 12 sitting in Jos.
They were arrested by DSS operatives between April 3 and April 10, 2026, following the March 28, 2025 attacks that saw at least 30 persons, including women and children, killed in communities across Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas.
While lawyers representing the defendants failed to appear in court, Justices Danladi Longden and Gegeliah Fwomyon ruled that the accused persons be remanded in DSS custody pending the next adjourned date,
The Plateau State Government, through the Office of the Attorney General, had filed charges bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and related offences against the defendants, in connection with the April 2026 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
Leading the prosecution, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, stated that the offences are “contrary to Section 269 and punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017.”
According to the charge sheet, the defendants, alongside others still at large, allegedly conspired on March 28, 2025, in Farin Gada, Jos North, to plan, organise, facilitate, and finance the attack on Angwa Rukuba.
Part of the charge read:
“That you… did conspire amongst yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organised, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba… and you thereby committed the above offence.”
The prosecution further alleged that the accused carried out acts of terrorism that resulted in the deaths of over 30 persons.
“That you… did commit the offence of terrorism when you planned, organised, facilitated, aided, contributed and received money to carry out an attack… which led to the death of over thirty (30) people…” the charge added.
In a separate count, Adamu Isa Alhassan faces additional charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide punishable by death, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
He is accused of participating in a series of coordinated attacks across communities in Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas between 2025 and early 2026.
“That you… armed yourselves with guns, attacked and killed the residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages… and you thereby committed the above offence,” tge charge read.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
