COURT SENDS FOUR SUSPECTS TO DSS CUSTODY OVER PLATEAU KILLINGS

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

A Plateau State High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of four suspects in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the March 28, 2026 killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.

The court adjourned the matter until April 30, 2026, for arraignment.

The arraignment was not held due to the absence of defence counsel.

The suspects — Isa Umar Ibrahim; Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo; Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also called Yaroro; and another individual — were arrested by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026.

They are facing charges of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and other related offences filed by the Plateau State Government.

According to the charge signed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, the defendants allegedly conspired to plan, organise, facilitate, and finance the attack on Angwan Rukuba, which resulted in the death of over 30 people.

The offences are said to contravene Section 269 and are punishable under Section 270 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.

When the case was called before Justice Gidelia Damulak Fomyong of Court 12 in Jos, the suspects, speaking through an interpreter, requested an adjournment to allow them secure legal representation of their choice.

The Solicitor-General of Plateau State, Joel Tagven, who appeared for the prosecution, did not object to the request but asked the court to order that the suspects remain in DSS custody to facilitate ongoing investigations.

The court granted the application and ordered that the suspects be remanded.

The March 28 attack on communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, including Angwan Rukuba, reportedly claimed no fewer than 30 lives.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier visited the state and assured victims that those responsible would be brought to justice.