The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple terrorism and firearms charges against several suspects linked to the June 13, 2025 attacks on Yelwata village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The coordinated assaults left several people dead and many injured. Nine suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations, though only two were arraigned on Thursday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe LGA of Nasarawa State, were charged on four counts alongside others still at large for attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages, contrary to the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
According to the charge sheet, the pair conspired with other suspects — identified as Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina — to carry out the killings. They were also accused of withholding intelligence that could have helped prevent the incident.
The case, filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar, also alleges the defendants prepared to commit further terrorist acts in violation of Section 29 of the Act.
In a separate case, two men, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede from Guma LGA, were charged on three counts for allegedly staging reprisal attacks following the Yelwata killings. They were accused of conspiring in Daudu town to carry out terrorist acts, participating in meetings that led to destruction of property and the death of 12 cattle, and unlawfully receiving an AK-47 rifle from a supplier.
Another suspect, 32-year-old Halima Haliru Umar from Faskari LGA of Katsina State, was arraigned on four counts for allegedly concealing information about a suspected gunrunner and transporting 302 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition to bandits in July.
Two elderly men, 75-year-old Nanbol Tali and Timnan Manjo, were also charged with illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. Prosecutors alleged they purchased and resold AK-47 rifles and revolvers without licences, in violation of the Firearms Act, 2024.
In related charges, Danjuma Antu of Jos North, Plateau State, was accused of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols, while Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, faces six counts for possession of 18 unlicensed firearms, grenades, and 683 rounds of live ammunition.
