Thursday, September 4, 2025 - The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine persons over their alleged involvement in the recent k!llings in Benue and Plateau States.
The suspects were brought before a Federal High Court in
Abuja on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
The DSS also charged a suspected gunrunner with unlawful
possession of seven M16 rifles.
Two of the accused, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both
from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, are facing a four-count
charge relating to the killings in Abinsi and Yelewata, Guma LGA of
Benue.
They were alleged to have committed the offence alongside
others still at large on June 13.
Two others, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma
LGA of Benue, were charged on three counts for alleged reprisal attacks against
initial suspects, including the destruction of property which resulted in the
loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village.
In a separate charge, Halima Haliru Umar, 32, from Faskari
LGA of Katsina State, was accused of concealing information about Alhaji Sani,
a suspected gunrunner, bandit and kidnapper.
The DSS also filed a six-count charge against Silas Iduh
Oloche from Agatu LGA in Benue for unlawful possession of 18 firearms,
including grenades, without licence, contrary to Section 27 of the Firearms
Act.
Similarly, two Plateau residents, Nanbol Tali, 75, and Timnan
Manjo, were arraigned on a four-count charge for allegedly buying and selling
two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles for N3 million.
Another suspect, Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau, was
arraigned on a five-count charge of unlawful possession of two locally
fabricated pistols and firearms capable of discharging 9mm calibre
ammunition.
It will be recalled that gunmen have mounted a string of
deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau in recent months, k!lling hundreds of
residents and displacing thousands.
On June 13, gunmen attacked Yelewata and Daudu communities in
Guma LGA, Benue, k!lling more than 200 people, including farmers and internally
displaced persons (IDPs).
On June 24, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode
Egbetokun, announced the arrest of 28 suspects linked to the Yelewata attack.
His announcement followed an order by President Bola Tinubu
for the arrest of the culprits of Yelwata attack during his visit to Benue
State.
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