The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday filed charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against nine suspects allegedly involved in recent massacres in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, and parts of Plateau State, where more than 40 people were killed, several injured, and hundreds displaced.
The violence earlier prompted President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue, during which he urged residents to embrace peace and directed security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
In a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/453/2025, dated August 8, 2025, the DSS accused suspects arrested across ethnic and religious lines of carrying out coordinated attacks.
According to the filing, “one Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State, and others still at large, allegedly carried out attacks on the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025.”
The DSS said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022. Adamu and Abdullahi were also accused of conspiring with “Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina, among others, to carry out the attacks.”
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar, alleged that the defendants engaged in conduct preparatory to terrorism.
In another case, two suspects — Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue State — were arraigned on a three-count charge for allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks against terror suspects linked to the Abinsi and Yelwata incidents.
The charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025 stated that the two attended a meeting that led to acts of terrorism, including destruction of property and the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State — acts contrary to Section 12 of the Act.
“Count two alleged that, in July 2025, at a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, the suspects conspired with others still at large to commit terrorism, contrary to Section 26 of the Act. Count three accused them of knowingly receiving material assistance, including locally made guns and AK-47 rifles, from one Alhaji Uba, for acts of terrorism that caused destruction of property and the loss of cattle in Ukpam, contrary to Section 13 of the Act.”
In a separate case, Halima Haliru Umar, 32, of Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was arraigned on a four-count terrorism charge for allegedly transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits in July 2025. She was also accused of concealing information about “one Alhaji Sani, a suspected arms dealer, bandit and kidnapper,” contrary to Section 6 of the Act.
Similarly, Nanbol Tali, 75, and Timnan Manjo were arraigned on four counts for allegedly buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles for ₦3 million, contrary to Section 9 of the Act and punishable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024. They were also accused of possessing an AK-47 rifle in Manju LGA, Plateau State, and purchasing revolvers for resale to bandits.
Another suspect, Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, faced a five-count charge for unlawful possession of two pistols capable of discharging 9mm rounds, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, 2024.
In a separate filing, the DSS brought a six-count charge against Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, accused of possessing 18 firearms, including grenades, without a licence, and 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition on August 2, 2025 — offences under Sections 3 and 8 of the Firearms Act.
No trial date has yet been fixed.