Terrorism : DSS drags 9 to court over Benue, Plateau killings (See List)

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against nine suspects, including a 75-year-old man, accusing them of unlawful possession of firearms and links to recent attacks in Benue and Plateau states.

The cases, spread across six separate charge sheets lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, list Terkende Ashuwa (46), Amos Alede (44), Haruna Adamu (26), Muhammed Abdullahi (48), Halima Haliru Usman (32), Timna Manjo (46), Nanbol Tali (75) and Danjuma Antu (62) as defendants.

According to court filings, Ashuwa of Ukpam village and Alede of Akawe Tokula Polytechnic, both in Guma LGA of Benue State, are accused of attending a July meeting at Couch Bar, Daudu village, “in connection with acts of terrorism.” Prosecutors allege they “knowingly solicit or render support by receiving material assistance of locally-made guns and AK47 rifle from one Alhaji Uba for the commissioning of acts of terrorism to wit: causing destruction to private property resulting in an economic loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam age, Benue State.”

A separate four-count charge claims Adamu of Kasono village and Abdullahi of Jangar Gare village, both in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State, took part in a June 13 meeting “concerned and connected to the commissioning of acts of terrorism and killings in Abinsi and Yelwata Villages, Guma LGA, Benue State.” They are also accused of concealing information about the planned attacks between June 13 and 14, 2025.

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Umar of Unguwan Boka, Faskari LGA, Katsina State, faces allegations of transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition on July 7 in Plateau State to aid terrorism activities.

In Plateau State, Manjo of First Baptist Church, Mangu LGA, and Tali of Cocin LCC, Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA, allegedly possessed an unlicensed locally-fabricated AK-47 rifle on August 9. Manjo is further accused of buying and reselling several firearms, including three long-range revolvers purchased for N60,000 each and two locally-made AK-47 rifles allegedly sold to “an unidentified Reverend at the rate of N400,000.”

Another five-count charge against Antu of Jos North LGA alleges that on June 27, 2025, he possessed “three live rounds of 9mm ammunition” and “knowingly render material support for the commission of acts of terrorism… by transporting two locally fabricated pistols firearms capable of discharging 9mm ammunition calibre, three live rounds of 9mm ammunition and one five round of 8mm ammunition.”

The DSS said the prosecutions are being pursued under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act 2004.