Benue, Plateau Massacre : DSS Files Charges Against 9 Suspects

The Department of State Services (DSS) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, filed charges against nine suspects allegedly linked to the recent deadly attacks on Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as well as in parts of Plateau State.

The attacks left over 40 persons dead, many others injured, and hundreds displaced in both states which
prompted a visit by President Bola Tinubu, during which he urged the people of Benue to learn to live in peace.

The President also charged security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

The charge sheet stated that one Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA of Nasarawa state, and others still at large, had on June 13th 2025, allegedly carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages.

The DSS said, the offence was punishable under section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

It explained that two accused persons were said to have conspired with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina and others still at large to carry out the attacks on Yelwata.

In the charge sheet marked THC/ABJ/CR/449/2025, filed on behalf of the Federal government by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Abubakar, the two defendants were accused of engaging in a conduct in preparation to commit terrorism by allegedly conspiring with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina and others still at large in committing the terror act in Abinsi and Yelwata.

In another charge, two other suspects Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma Local Government area of Benue State were slammed with a three-count charge of allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks against the terror suspects, involved in Abinsi and Yelwata.

In the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the two suspects were accused of attending and participating in a meeting which led “to the commissioning of acts of terrorism, causing destruction of properties resulting in the economic loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State.”
This, the DPP said, is contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

In count two, they were said to have in July 2025, at a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, conspired to carry out terrorism acts along with others at large, contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.

In count Three, the DSS accused the two defendants of knowingly rendering support and receiving material assistance of locally made guns and AK-47 rifles from one Alhaji Uba for the commissioning of terrorism that led to the destruction of private property and loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue state contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.

In yet another charge, a 32- year old woman, Halima Haliru Umar of Faskari LGA of Kastina State was slammed with a four-count charge of terrorism, including transporting, in July 2025, 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle live ammunition to bandits, which the Service said contravened Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.

She was also charged with concealing information about one Alhaji Sani, a suspected gun runner, bandit and kidnapper, that would have led to apprehending and preventing acts of terrorism.

The woman’s action, said the DSS, is contrary to Section 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

Relatedly, a 75 year old man, Nanbol Tali and another, Timnan Manjo, were slammed with 4-count charges of allegedly engaging in buying and selling of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without license for N3 million naira in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, also charged with buying three long-range revolvers at N60,000 naira each from one Chomo to resell them to bandits.

One Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA of Plateau state was also slammed with a five- count charge of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols and lmfirearms, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act 2024 and punishable under section 27.

The DSS also slammed another six-count charge against one Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA of Benue state for unlawful possession of 18 firearms (grenades) without license, contrary to Section 3 and punishable under section 27 of the Firearms Act, who had since been arrested in August 2, 2025, with 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act.

No date has been fixed for the trial of the suspects in the charges filed.

PR/Garry Ochigbo