Angwa Rukuba massacre trial stalls as Court reserves ruling on jurisdiction

● Plateau High Court adjourns to July 2; Suspects to remain in DSS custody

The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has reserved ruling on a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction to try four suspects arrested over the Angwa Rukuba massacre that left about 30 persons dead on Palm Sunday, 2026.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the court, presided over by Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon, adjourned to *July 2, 2026* to hear the motion, while the substantive trial was fixed for *July 15, 2026*. The five defendants are to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the meantime.

—Defence questions court’s powers–

Plateau State Director of Civil Litigation, Sabo Longji, told the court that two of the defendants filed a notice of preliminary objection, asking the court to strike out the case against them for lack of jurisdiction.

The prosecution said it had filed a counter-affidavit dated *June 29, 2026*, which had been served on the defence. Defence counsel led by M.I. Shaba, SAN, alongside M.I. Salihu and S.M. Danlami, however, argued that the counter-affidavit was filed out of time.

The prosecution then applied for an extension of time to regularise the filing. Justice Fwomyon granted the application and adjourned for hearing of the motion.

—Charges border on conspiracy, homicide, arms—

The Plateau State government is prosecuting Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro, all arrested by the DSS days after the attack. A fifth defendant, Ado Ibrahim, is listed as at large.

They face charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition over the March/April killings.

—Background: Palm Sunday attack—

On Palm Sunday of 2026, gunmen stormed Angwa Rukuba community in Jos North LGA, opening fire and killing about 30 residents. The attack sparked outrage and a security crackdown, leading to the DSS arrests that followed days later.

The case has been closely watched in Plateau, where communities have demanded swift justice for repeated attacks in Jos North and environs.