The State Security Service has filed charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, against nine suspects linked to the deadly attacks on Yelwata, Guma LGA of Benue, and parts of Plateau. The attacks left no fewer than 40 people dead, many others injured, and hundreds displaced.
The charge sheet alleged that Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA of Nasarawa, and others at large, on June 13, carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages.
The duo allegedly conspired with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, Pyeure Damina, and others still at large to carry out the attacks on Yelwata.
In the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/449/2025, by Muhammad Abubakar, the director of public prosecution of the federation, the two defendants allegedly engaged in conduct in preparation to commit terrorism.
They allegedly jointly acted with other accused to commit the terror act in Abinsi and Yelwata. The federal government stated that this was contrary to Section 29 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In another charge, two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA of Benue, were slammed with a three-count charge of allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks against the terror suspects involved in the Abinsi and Yelwata attacks.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the suspects were accused of attending and participating in a meeting which led to acts of terrorism, causing destruction to private property, resulting in the economic loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam in Benue. The DPP said this act was contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
In count two, they allegedly conspired in July, at a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, to carry out a terrorist act along with others at large, contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
In count three, the SSS accused the two defendants of knowingly rendering support and receiving material assistance of locally made guns and AK-47 rifles from a suspect, Alhaji Uba, to commit acts of terrorism that led to the destruction of private property and loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue.
In another charge, a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru-Umar of Faskari LGA of Katsina, was slammed with a four-count charge of terrorism. This included transporting, in July, 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle live ammunition to bandits. She was also charged with concealing information about Mr Sani, a suspected gunrunner, bandit, and kidnapper, information the SSS said would have led to preventing acts of terrorism.
Similarly, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and Timnan Manjo were charged with four counts of allegedly engaging in the buying and selling of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without a licence for N3 million. They were accused of having a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle in their possession in Manju LGA of Plateau. They were also charged with buying three long-range revolvers at N60,000 each from another suspect, Chomo, to resell to bandits.
Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA of Plateau was charged with five counts of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols capable of discharging 9mm ammunition caliber.
The SSS also slammed a six-count charge against Silas Oloche of Agatu LGA of Benue for unlawful possession of 18 firearms (grenades) without a licence. Mr Oloche was allegedly arrested on August 2 with 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
No date has been fixed to hear the matters.
(NAN)
