Court remands four suspects in DSS custody over Plateau killings
Plateau State High Court Remands Four Suspects Related to March Killings
JOS, Nigeria — A Plateau State High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of four suspects in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) due to their alleged involvement in the March 28, 2026 killings in Angwan Rukuba, located in the Jos North Local Government Area. The case has been adjourned until April 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The arraignment was postponed because the suspects were without legal representation. The detainees include Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar—also known as Auwalu Dogo—Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, referred to as Yaroro, and one other individual. They were apprehended by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026.
The suspects face charges related to criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and other offenses, as outlined by the Plateau State Government. According to the charges, which were signed by State Attorney-General Philemon Daffi, the suspects allegedly coordinated and funded the attack that resulted in the deaths of over 30 people.
These charges violate Section 269 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017, and are punishable under Section 270. During proceedings before Justice Gidelia Damulak Fomyong in Court 12, the suspects, through an interpreter, requested an adjournment to secure legal counsel of their choice.
The Solicitor-General of Plateau State, Joel Tagven, who represented the prosecution, did not object to the request but asked the court to remand the suspects in DSS custody to facilitate ongoing investigations. The court granted the request and ordered the remand.
The March 28 incident, which affected communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, resulted in at least 30 fatalities. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had previously visited the state, pledging that those responsible would face justice.
