A Plateau State High Court has ordered the remand of four suspects in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the March 28, 2026 killings in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area.
The court adjourned the case to April 30, 2026, for arraignment after proceedings could not continue due to the absence of defence counsel.
The suspects — Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and one other — were arrested by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026.
They are facing charges related to criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and other associated offences, as filed by the Plateau State Government.
According to the charge signed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, the suspects allegedly conspired to carry out the attack by planning, organising, facilitating, and funding the operation that led to the death of over 30 people in Angwan Rukuba.
The offences are said to contravene Section 269 and are punishable under Section 270 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.
During Thursday’s proceedings before Justice Gidelia Damulak Fomyong at Court 12 in Jos, the suspects, speaking through an interpreter, requested an adjournment to allow them secure legal representation of their choice.
The prosecution counsel and Solicitor-General of Plateau State, Joel Tagven, did not oppose the request but urged the court to remand the suspects in DSS custody to ensure ease of access and continuity of investigation.
The court granted the application and adjourned the matter to April 30 for arraignment. The suspects were subsequently returned to DSS custody.
Speaking after the session, the Solicitor-General commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to prosecute the suspects within the state. He cited key measures including directives that led to their arrest, approval for local prosecution instead of transferring the case to Abuja, provision of security infrastructure such as CCTV cameras, and improved collaboration between federal and state authorities.
The March 28 attacks affected communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, including Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people, among them children.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang had earlier condemned the killings, describing them as acts of genocide rather than farmer-herder clashes, while assuring residents that efforts were underway to restore peace and prevent further violence.
President Tinubu, during a visit to the state, also assured affected communities that justice would be pursued and urged residents to remain vigilant.
Plateau Killings: Court Remands Four Suspects in DSS Custody, Fixes April 30 for Arraignment
