Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court remands four suspects in DSS Custody, approves speedy trial

A Plateau State High Court on Friday ordered that four suspects charged over the March 2026 killings in Angwa-Rukuba, Jos North LGA, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services and granted a request for an accelerated trial.

The court  ruled that it has discretion to decide where suspects are held, provided the facility is safe.

“Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this honorable court has jurisdiction to remand the defendant in the custody of DSS or correctional centre provided the place of custody is safe,” the judge said.

“The defendants are hereby remanded in the custody of the DSS. They must however be allowed to have access to their counsel while in detention pending the prompt conclusion of investigation.”

Advertisement

The defendants — Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar alias Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim alias Yaroro, and others — are facing charges of terrorism and criminal conspiracy filed by Plateau State Attorney General Philemon Daffi under the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired on March 28, 2025, in Farin Gada, Jos North, to plan, organize, facilitate, and fund an attack on Angwa-Rukuba that left over 30 people dead.

A related charge names Adamu Isah Alhassan and others now at large for allegedly carrying out attacks between January and December 2025 and in January 2026 across Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit, Bangai villages in Riyom LGA and Vom in Jos South LGA, leading to multiple deaths.

Defence counsel Mustapha Shabbat SAN opposed the continued detention of his clients in DSS custody, but the court overruled the objection.

The court noted that case management had already been conducted in line with the law and adjourned the matter to May 26 for a report on the case management conference. Hearing is set for July 1 and 2, 2026.