Plateau Govt Drags Five Suspects to Court Over Angwa-Rukuba Massacre

The Plateau State Government has instituted criminal proceedings against five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the Angwa-Rukuba killings in Jos North Local Government Area.

The move follows a recent visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assured affected communities that justice would be served.

The State Attorney General, Philemon Audu Daffi, filed multiple charges against the defendants, including criminal conspiracy and terrorism-related offences.

Those named in the charge include Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (aka Yaroro), who are accused of planning, organising, and financing the March attack that left more than 30 people dead.

In a separate count, Adamu Isa Alhassan is facing additional charges of culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful arms dealing. Prosecutors allege that he collaborated with several accomplices still at large to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas between 2025 and early 2026.

The suspects were apprehended by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026.

According to court documents, the accused persons allegedly mobilised funds, procured weapons, and facilitated the execution of attacks in Angwa-Rukuba and neighbouring communities, resulting in significant casualties.

The prosecution is anchored on provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The case comes amid lingering tensions in Plateau State following repeated attacks in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs, where dozens of residents were killed.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has maintained that the violence should not be reduced to farmer-herder clashes, describing it instead as a coordinated campaign of killings.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects still on the run, as the state intensifies moves to restore peace and ensure accountability.