The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday filed charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja against nine suspects believed to be involved in recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, and parts of Plateau State, which resulted in the deaths of over 40 people, numerous injuries, and the displacement of hundreds, with the charges coming amid President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue where he urged peace and directed security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators; according to a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/453/2025 dated August 8, 2025, the DSS alleged that the suspects, arrested from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, coordinated violent attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025, with key suspects including Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State, who allegedly conspired with others such as Musa Beniyon and Bako Malowa to commit acts punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In a related case, two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede from Guma LGA, Benue State, were arraigned on a three-count charge for allegedly orchestrating reprisal attacks involving terrorism, property destruction, and cattle losses in Ukpam village, with the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar, stating that the suspects attended a July 2025 meeting in Daudu town where they conspired to commit terrorism and knowingly received weapons such as AK-47 rifles from a supplier named Alhaji Uba, violations that contravene Sections 12, 13, and 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In a separate indictment, a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar of Faskari LGA, Katsina State, faced a four-count charge for allegedly transporting 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition to bandits in July 2025 and concealing information about a suspected arms dealer and kidnapper, Alhaji Sani, an offense contrary to Sections 6 and 13 of the Act.
Additionally, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another individual, Timnan Manjo, were arraigned on charges of illegally buying and selling locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without licenses and possessing prohibited firearms in Plateau State, violating Sections 9 of the Terrorism Prevention Act and Section 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024, while Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, faced charges of unlawful possession of pistols capable of discharging 9mm ammunition, and Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, was charged on six counts related to possession of 18 firearms, grenades, and 683 live rounds of ammunition without a license, offenses under the Firearms Act; as of now, no trial dates have been scheduled.
Leave a Reply