The Department of State Services (DSS), on Thursday filed charges against nine suspected terrorists linked to killings in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue and parts of Plateau state.
The charges were at an Abuja Federal High Court
In the the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/453/2025, the DSS alleged that the suspects, arrested across ethnic and religious lines, were responsible for coordinated attacks.
In the charge, the DSS accused one Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State, and others still at large, for carrying out attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025, killing many people.
The DSS said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Adamu and Abdullahi were further accused of conspiring with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina, among others, to carry out the attacks.
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar, accused the two suspects of engaging in conduct preparatory to committing terrorism.
In another charge, two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue State, were arraigned on a three-count charge for allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks against terror suspects involved in the Abinsi and Yelwata incidents.
In the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the two were accused of attending and participating in a meeting that led to acts of terrorism, including the destruction of private property and the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State.
Count two alleged that, in July 2025, at a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, the suspects conspired with others still at large to commit terrorism, contrary to Section 26 of the Act.
They were accused of knowingly receiving material assistance, including locally made guns and AK-47 rifles, from one Alhaji Uba, for acts of terrorism that caused destruction of property and the loss of cattle in Ukpam, contrary to Section 13 of the Act.
In a separate case, a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar of Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was arraigned on a four-count charge of terrorism.
She was accused of transporting 302 rounds of live ammunition to bandits in July 2025, an offence contrary to Section 13 of the Act.
She was also charged with concealing information about one Alhaji Sani, a suspected arms dealer, bandit and kidnapper.
The DSS said the information could have led to his arrest and prevented acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 6 of the Act.
Similarly, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and one Timnan Manjo, were arraigned on four counts of allegedly buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without a licence for ₦3 million, contrary to Section 9 of the Act and punishable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024.
They were further accused of possessing a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, and of buying three long-range revolvers at ₦60,000 each from one Chomo for resale to bandits.
Also charged was one Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, on a five-count charge of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols capable of discharging 9mm calibre ammunition, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, 2024, and is punishable under Section 27.
In another case, the DSS filed a six-count charge against one Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, for unlawful possession of 18 firearms, including grenades, without a licence, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27.
Oloche was also alleged to have been found in possession of 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition on August 2, 2025, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act.
No date was been fixed for trial yet.
DSS charges nine over Benue, Plateau massacres
