Weeks after President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau and promised justice for victims of serial attacks, the state government on Friday filed terrorism and homicide charges against five suspects arrested by the DSS over the March 2026 killings in Angwa-Rukuba, Jos North.
The suspects were picked up between April 3 and April 10, 2026, the state said.
Four of the defendants — Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro, and a third Musa Abubakar Ibrahim — face counts of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. A fifth, Adamu Isa Alhassan, was charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and dealing in arms.
State Attorney General Philemon Audu Daffi filed the charges, citing violations of the Plateau Penal Code Law, 2017.
According to the charge sheet, the four men and one Ado Ibrahim, now at large, conspired on March 28, 2025 at Farin Gada to plan, organise, fund and carry out the Angwa-Rukuba attack. The document says the assault left “over thirty (30) people” dead.
Alhassan’s charges cover a wider sweep. Prosecutors allege that between January 2025 and January 2026, he and at least seven others at large armed themselves and attacked residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai villages in Riyom LGA, and Vom in Jos South LGA.
The Angwa-Rukuba killings were part of a March 28, 2025 wave of violence in which at least 30 people, including children, were killed across Bokkos and Bassa LGAs and nearby communities.
The attacks sparked calls to cancel a state-organized arts event, “Experience Plateau: Arts Meets Fashion.” Governor Caleb Mutfwang refused.
“Many advised that we suspend this function, but we realized that these attackers intend to keep us in perpetual mourning, to force us indoors, and to shackle our collective spirit,” Mutfwang said. “But I said no! Life must go on. Plateau must move forward by the grace of God.”
The governor rejected the “farmer-herder conflict” label. “What is happening is not a farmer-herder conflict. Let me be clear: it is genocide, and I urge the international community to take note,” he said.
President Tinubu, during his visit earlier this month, met victims, assessed damage, and promised justice. “We are optimistic that ongoing interventions will help restore lasting peace,” he said, urging residents to stay vigilant.
No plea dates have been announced. Six other suspects named in the charges remain at large.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
