The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine individuals linked to the deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states.
The agency also charged a suspected gun-runner, allegedly caught with seven M16 rifles, said to be fuelling insecurity in the troubled region.
According to separate charges filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the attacks left over 40 people dead, many injured, and hundreds displaced across communities in the two states.
The DSS said the June 13, 2025, attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages in Benue were allegedly masterminded by Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe LGA of Nasarawa State, alongside other suspects still at large.
They were charged under section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022. Others named in the case include Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/449/2025, was endorsed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar.
In another charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, two suspects — Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma LGA of Benue — were accused of staging reprisal attacks that destroyed private property and led to the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village.
The DSS said the duo also conspired in Daudu town, Guma LGA, to carry out further terrorist acts with weapons supplied by one Alhaji Uba, including locally made guns and AK-47 rifles.
A 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar from Faskari LGA of Katsina State, was charged on four counts of terrorism.
She allegedly transported 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits in July 2025 and concealed information about a notorious gun-runner, Alhaji Sani.
The DSS said her actions breached sections 6 and 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Arms Dealers on Trial in Plateau
In Plateau State, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and Timnan Manjo were arraigned on a four-count charge of illegally buying and selling locally fabricated AK-47 rifles for ₦3 million. They were also accused of purchasing three revolvers at ₦60,000 each for resale to bandits.
The DSS said the offences contravened sections 9 and 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024.
Similarly, Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA was slammed with a five-count charge of unlawful possession of two locally made pistols capable of firing 9mm rounds.
Naijaonpoint reports that another suspect, Silas Iduh Oloche, from Agatu LGA of Benue State, was arraigned on a six-count charge for unlawful possession of 18 grenades and 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
According to the DSS, Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, and faces prosecution under sections 3, 8, and 27 of the Firearms Act.
The DSS stressed that the charges reflect its determination to dismantle networks behind the spiralling violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The arraignment follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to identify and prosecute masterminds of attacks in Benue and Plateau.
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