The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against nine suspects linked to the recent attacks in Benue and Plateau States.
In a charge sheet filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Abubakar, the suspects were accused of participating in coordinated assaults on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and communities in Plateau State.
According to the DSS, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State, alongside others still at large, allegedly carried out the June 13, 2025, attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages. They were charged with conspiring with several others, including Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, and Ibrahim Tunga, to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to sections 12 and 29 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue State, were separately charged with launching reprisal attacks. The DSS alleged they attended a meeting that led to the destruction of private property and the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village. They were also accused of conspiring to carry out terrorist acts and receiving weapons from an arms supplier, offences punishable under sections 12, 13, and 26 of the Act.
In another case, a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar from Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was charged with transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition to bandits and concealing information about a suspected arms dealer, offences said to contravene sections 6 and 13 of the Act.
The DSS further charged a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another, Timnan Manjo, with unlawful possession and sale of locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and revolvers worth N3 million. They were accused of violating provisions of the Firearms Act 2024.
Similarly, Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, was arraigned on a five-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms, while Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, faced a six-count charge of unlawful possession of 18 grenades and 683 live rounds of ammunition.
No trial date has yet been fixed for the suspects.
