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A High Court in Jos has ordered the remand of four suspects linked to the March 2026 mass killings in Angwa Rukuba, directing that they remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending their formal arraignment on April 30, 2026.
Proceedings on Thursday were unable to move forward as scheduled due to the absence of defence counsel, forcing a delay in the arraignment process.
The suspects are accused in connection with the March 28 attacks that claimed at least 30 lives, including children, after armed assailants stormed communities in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas.
In the aftermath of the violence, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, strongly denounced the killings, insisting they were part of a broader attempt to destabilise the state.
“But I said no! Life must go on. Plateau must move forward by the grace of God. The genocide on the Plateau will come to an end. What is happening is not a farmer-herder conflict. Let me be clear: it is genocide, and I urge the international community to take note,” the governor said.
During a recent visit to the state, President Bola Tinubu met with victims and reassured residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and peace.
“We are optimistic that ongoing interventions will help restore lasting peace,” the President said, while urging residents to remain vigilant.
Those listed for arraignment include Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), among others, all accused of conspiring to carry out the deadly assault.
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According to the Plateau State Government, the suspects were apprehended by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and are facing charges ranging from criminal conspiracy to terrorism-related offences.
The charge, filed by the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, states that the accused acted “contrary to Section 269 and punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017.”
It further reads, “That you… did conspire among yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organised, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba… which led to the death of over thirty (30) people.”
When the matter came up at Court 12, the defendants, speaking through an interpreter, requested additional time to secure legal representation of their choice.
The Solicitor General of Plateau State and prosecuting counsel, Joel Tagven, did not oppose the request but urged the court to keep the suspects in DSS custody to ensure seamless investigation and access.
“Ordinarily, the matter is supposed to come up today, but in view of the request of the accused demanding lawyers, we can adjourn the case to enable them to get lawyers of their choice. I also appeal that the suspects be remanded in DSS custody for easy access and continuation of the investigation,” the prosecution counsel said.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Gidelia FomYom granted the application and adjourned proceedings to April 30, 2026, for arraignment.
Following the session, the suspects were escorted from the courtroom in a bus back to the DSS facility.
Speaking with journalists afterward, the Solicitor General praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as decisive support in enabling the prosecution to proceed within the state.
“We appreciate Mr President for giving a marching order. In fact, we appreciate him for four reasons. First, for giving the marching order, which led to the DSS making efforts that resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
“Second, in the past, prosecutions were not conducted in the state; suspects were usually taken to Abuja. But today, we have been permitted to prosecute them here,” he said.
He added, “Third, you will recall that when Mr President came, he pledged that security materials like CCTV cameras would be provided to the state for security purposes. That will go a long way in helping secure the state. Fourth is the issue of prosecuting them here. This is not how it used to be.
“This is now happening here, and it is something to appreciate Mr President, the governor, and the DSS for their collaboration and support to enable this prosecution in the state,” the Solicitor General added.
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