The Federal Government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), has filed multiple charges against nine suspects accused of complicity in recent deadly attacks that rocked Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and parts of Plateau State.
According to separate charges lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the violent attacks left over 40 persons dead, many others injured, and hundreds displaced across the two states.
The DSS, in one of the charges, alleged that the June 13, 2025, attacks in Abinsi and Yelwata villages of Benue State were carried out by Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe LGA of Nasarawa State, in connivance with other suspects still at large.
Those also fingered in the Benue attacks include Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina. They were listed in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/449/2025, endorsed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Abubakar.
The suspects were accused of committing offences punishable under sections 12 and 29 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In a separate three-count charge, two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both of Guma LGA, were accused of carrying out reprisal attacks in Abinsi and Yelwata. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, stated that they participated in a meeting which led to terrorist acts that caused the destruction of property and the economic loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village.
The DSS further alleged that in July 2025, the duo conspired in Daudu town, Guma LGA, to carry out terrorist activities, receiving material assistance, including AK-47 rifles and locally made guns from one Alhaji Uba, in contravention of section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
Also, a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar from Faskari LGA of Katsina State, was slammed with a four-count charge of terrorism. She was accused of transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits and concealing information about a suspected gunrunner, Alhaji Sani.
In another charge, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and Timnan Manjo were accused of illegally buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles for N3 million. They also allegedly purchased revolvers from a supplier to resell to bandits, in violation of the Firearms Act 2024.
Similarly, one Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA was arraigned on a five-count charge for unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols, while Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, faced six counts for possessing 18 firearms (grenades) and 683 rounds of live ammunition.
The DSS noted that all the offences contravened sections of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2024. No date has yet been fixed for the arraignment of the defendants.
SOURCE: VANGUARD NGR
