Plateau Govt Opposes Medical Treatment Request by Angwa Rukuba Terrorism Suspect

The Plateau State Government has opposed an application by one of the suspects standing trial over the 2026 Angwa Rukuba killings seeking permission to receive medical treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), arguing that the request is aimed at delaying the terrorism trial.

The objection was raised on Thursday before the Plateau State High Court in Jos during the continuation of proceedings in the trial of four suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the deadly attacks on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area.

Counsel to the third defendant, M. I. Salihu, had urged the court to direct the prosecution to allow his client seek medical attention at the teaching hospital.

However, the prosecution, led by the Plateau State Director of Civil Litigation, Sabo Longji, filed a counter-affidavit asking the court to dismiss the application in the interest of justice.

Longji argued that the motion was a deliberate attempt by the defence to frustrate the accelerated hearing of the terrorism case and delay justice for victims of the attacks.

After hearing submissions from both parties, the trial judge, Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon, reserved ruling on the application, describing it as contentious.

The judge directed counsel for both parties to provide their telephone contacts to enable the court communicate the date for the ruling before adjourning the matter until July 15, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

The four defendants—Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro)—were arrested by the DSS following the Palm Sunday attacks on Angwa Rukuba in late March and early April 2026.

The Plateau State Government subsequently arraigned the suspects alongside Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large, on terrorism-related charges.

The prosecution alleges that the accused were linked to the attack in which about 30 people were killed, one of the deadliest incidents recorded in the state this year. The trial continues.