Politics

“Terror Charges Filed” — Plateau Govt Arraigns Suspects Over Angwan Rukuba Killings, SSS Arrests Five

The Plateau State Government has filed terrorism-related charges against five suspects over the deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area, which left more than 30 people dead and several others injured.

The suspects, who were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) between April 3 and April 10, 2026, are to be arraigned on April 23 following the filing of charges by the state’s Attorney General, Philemon Daffi.

According to the charge, three of the defendants — Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro) — are accused of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and related offences.

The government alleged that the suspects, alongside one Ado Ibrahim who is currently at large, conspired to plan, organise, and finance the March 28, 2025 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, which resulted in multiple deaths.

The charges stated that the defendants contributed funds and logistical support to execute the attack, actions said to be punishable under Sections 269 and 270 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.

Another defendant, Adamu Isa Alhassan, is facing additional charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.

He was also accused of participating in a series of coordinated attacks between 2025 and early 2026 in communities across Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas, where several residents were reportedly killed.

The state government further alleged that the defendants were involved in broader acts of violence linked to terrorism and destabilisation, including funding activities tied to armed attacks.

The prosecution noted that the actions of the suspects were aimed at orchestrating violence capable of undermining public safety and security in the state.

The filing of the charges comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State, where he condemned the killings and assured affected communities that justice would be served.

The attack had sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and renewed concerns over insecurity in the region.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, reacting to the incident, described the killings as genocide rather than a farmer-herder conflict, urging the international community to take note and support efforts to end the violence.

Authorities say the prosecution marks a significant step toward accountability, as efforts continue to address insecurity and bring perpetrators of violent attacks in Plateau State to justice.