The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday brought nine key suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing them of involvement in the recent spate of deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau States.
Among the accused is a suspected gunrunner apprehended with seven M16 rifles, linked to the escalating violence in the region.
Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both hailing from Awe Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State, face a four-count charge related to the June 13, 2025, killings in Abinsi and Yelewata villages, Guma LGA, Benue State, allegedly carried out with others who remain at large.
In a separate case, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma LGA, Benue State, were charged with three counts for alleged reprisal attacks against the initial terror suspects and for destroying private property, resulting in the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State.
Additionally, 32-year-old Halima Haliru Umar from Faskari LGA, Katsina State, faces a four-count charge for allegedly withholding critical information about Alhaji Sani, a suspected gunrunner, bandit, and kidnapper, which could have facilitated his arrest.
The DSS also filed a six-count charge against Silas Iduh Oloche from Agatu LGA, Benue State, for illegally possessing 18 firearms, including grenades, without a license, an offense punishable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act.
Furthermore, Nanbol Tali, aged 75, and Timnan Manjo, both from Plateau State, were charged with four counts for allegedly trading two locally made AK-47 rifles without a license in a transaction valued at ₦3 million.
Danjuma Antu, a 62-year-old from Jos North LGA, Plateau State, faces a five-count charge for unlawfully possessing two locally fabricated pistols and firearms designed to fire 9mm rounds.
Persistent Violence
Over the past few months, armed groups have repeatedly targeted communities in Plateau and Benue States, resulting in hundreds of deaths and displacing thousands of residents. On June 24, 2025, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced the arrest of 28 suspects linked to the deadly attack in Yelwata, Benue State. This followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive during a visit to Benue State to apprehend those responsible for the assault.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Benue, Tinubu criticized the police for their failure to capture the perpetrators of the coordinated attacks on Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA on June 13, 2025, which claimed over 200 lives, including internally displaced persons and farmers.
What You Should Know
On September 3, 2025, the DSS arraigned nine suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja for terrorism and firearms offenses tied to deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau States, including a gunrunner caught with seven M16 rifles.
Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi were charged for the June 13 killings in Abinsi and Yelewata, Benue, while Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede face charges for reprisal attacks in Ukpam village. Halima Haliru Umar is accused of concealing information about a suspected bandit, Silas Iduh Oloche for possessing 18 unlicensed firearms, Nanbol Tali and Timnan Manjo for trading AK-47s, and Danjuma Antu for illegal pistols.
The arrests follow President Tinubu’s order after attacks that killed over 200 in Guma LGA, with 28 suspects previously detained, as announced by Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun.
