Plateau govt files charges against five suspects DSS held for Angwa-Rukuba killings

• • Palm Sunday attackers to be arraigned today

The Plateau State government last Friday filed charges against five suspects the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested in connection with the recent killings in Angwa-Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, The Nation gathered yesterday.

The suspects are: Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (aka Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (aka Yaroro), and Adamu Isa Alhassan.

The government did not name the fifth suspect.

It was learnt that the government filed charges of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and other related offences against the first four.

But Alhassan was charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.

They were arrested between April 3 and April 10, a trusted source told d.

The state’s Attorney General, Philemon Audu Daffi, who filed the charges, said the actions of the four men were “contrary to Section 269 and Punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017”.

The particulars of offence read: “That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (aka Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (aka Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and Ado Ibrahim (now at large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on March 28, 2025, at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, 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, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court; you thereby committed the above offence.

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“That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (aka Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (aka Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (now at large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on March 28, 2025, at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did commit the offence of terrorism when you planned, organised, facilitated, aided, contributed and received money to carry out an attack in Angwan Rukuba, which led to the death of over thirty (30) people in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

A part of the particulars of Alhassan’s offence reads: “That you Adamu Isah Alhassan together with one Ibrahim Musa (now at large), Imarana Sa’idu (now at large), Yusuf Sa’idu (now at large) Aliyu Usaini (now at large), Yahuza Adamu (now at large), Mubarak Yunusa (now at large), Yakubu, whose surname is unknown (now at large) and others also at large between the months of January to December 2025 and in January 2026 at Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Culpable homicide punishable with death, when you armed yourselves with guns, attacked and killed the residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and you thereby committed the above offence.”

On Friday, March 28, last year, no fewer than 30 persons, including children, were killed after suspected herders attacked some communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas and their environs, of the State.

Following the killings, many called for the cancellation of a state-organised programme, “Experience Plateau, Arts Meets Fashion”.

Brushing aside the calls, Governor Caleb Mutfwang said cancelling the event would satisfy the agenda of the attackers.

The governor had said: “Last week, Bokkos Local Government Area came under renewed attack by murderers who are desperate to break our spirit.

“Many advised that we suspend this function, but we realised that these attackers intend to keep us in perpetual mourning, to force us indoors, and to shackle our collective spirit.

“But I said no! Life must go on. Plateau must move forward by the grace of God. The genocide on the Plateau will come to an end. What is happening is not a farmer-herder conflict. Let me be clear: it is genocide, and I urge the international community to take note.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Plateau State and promised justice for victims of serial attacks.

During the President’s visit, he met with victims of the attacks, assessed the damage, and promised justice for those who suffered losses.

“We are optimistic that ongoing interventions will help restore lasting peace,” the President had said, as he charged citizens of the state to be vigilant.