- Safiu Kehinde
The Department of State Service (DSS) has arraigned the nine prime suspects arrested in connection to the massacre reported in Benue and Plateau states.
NPO Reported that the DSS had last month filed charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against the nine suspects allegedly linked to the deadly attacks on Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue and parts of Plateau.
Recall that the attacks had left no fewer than 40 persons dead with many others injured and hundreds displaced in both states.
The charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/449/2025, read that two out of the prime suspects, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA of Nasarawa had, alongside others still at large, on June 13 allegedly carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages.
The offence, the DSS said, was contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The two accused persons were also said to have 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.
As contained in the charged filed on behalf of the Federal Government by Muhammad Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), the suspects offence contravened the Section 29 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The nine prime suspects have on Wednesday been arraigned before the Federal High Court.
They were arraigned on six separate charges and took turn to enter their pleas before the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, after the charges were read to them.
After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Nwite ordered that they should be remanded in DSS’ custody and be granted access to their lawyers.
The judge adjourned the matter until the 2nd of October for trial.
He also adjourned the charge involving one Manjo and Tali until the 17th of October for review and trial.
In the same vein, Nwite also fixed the trial of Antu and Oloche for 17th of October for trial.
Meanwhile, the DSS, on Wednesday, filed a fresh five-count charge against suspected gunrunner, allegedly arrested with seven M16 assault rifles – Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna (aka Huzaifa Dogo)