Plateau Govt Files Charges Against Five Suspects Over Angwa-Rukuba Killings
22nd April, 2026 | News
The Plateau State Government has filed criminal charges against five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the deadly March 2026 attacks in Angwa-Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area.
The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the state, where he assured victims and residents that those responsible would be brought to justice.
According to the charges filed by the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, the suspects—Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (alias Yaroro)—are accused of criminal conspiracy and terrorism-related offences. Authorities allege that they planned, funded, and facilitated the attack that claimed more than 30 lives.
Another defendant, Adamu Isa Alhassan, faces additional charges including culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealings in arms and ammunition. Several other suspects linked to the case remain at large.
The accused were arrested in separate operations conducted between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and are scheduled to be arraigned in court on April 23.
The charges stem from a violent assault carried out on March 28, 2025, when gunmen attacked communities in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas, killing dozens of residents, including women and children. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has described the killings as genocide rather than a farmer-herder conflict, insisting that the attacks were part of a deliberate effort to destabilise communities and instil fear.
He also defended the state’s decision not to cancel public events following the attacks, stating that doing so would have allowed perpetrators to achieve their aim of forcing residents into prolonged fear and disruption.
Authorities say the prosecution marks a significant step toward accountability, as efforts continue to track down other suspects and prevent further violence in the region.