DSS charge nine suspects to court over Benue, Plateau killings

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine suspects before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged complicity in recent killings in Benue and Plateau states.

The nine individuals are named as defendants in six separate charges, yesterday took turns to enter their pleas to the allegations raised against them, including unlawful possession and dealing in firearms, as well as assisting in terrorist activities.

Those arraigned are Terkende Ashuwa (46 years), Halima Haliru Usman (32), Muhammed Abdullahi (48), Amos Alede (44), Haruna Adamu (26),   Timna Manjo (46), Nanbol Tali (75 years), Danjuma Antu (62), and Silas Iduh Oloche..

Out of the nine, only Manjo pleaded guilty to two out of the four counts contained in the charge on which he was arraigned with Tali.

Manjo pleaded guilty to buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 without a licence, at the rate of N3,000,000, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 9 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

Manjo also pleaded guilty to engaging in the buying of three long-range Revolver Rifles at the rate of N60,000 each, from one Chomo, for resale, and thereby committed an offence.

Ashuwa, in a three-count charge, was alleged to have, in July, attended a meeting at Couch Bar, Daudu village, in connection with acts of terrorism.

They were also accused of “knowingly soliciting or rendering support by receiving material assistance of locally-made guns and an AK-47 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.”

Adamu of Kasono village and Abdullahi of Jangar Gare village, both in Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, are, in a four-count charge, said to have, on June 13, participated in a meeting alongside Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Azara Ahmlnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina, among others, “which, in your knowledge, is concerned and connected to the commissioning of acts of terrorism and killings in Abinsi and Yelwata villages, Guma LGA, Benue State,” the charge reads.

Adamu and Abdullahi were also accused of “knowingly concealing information about planned acts of terrorism and killings in Abinsi and Yelwata villages, Guma LGA, Benue State, between 13th and 14th June 2025.”

After the defendants pleaded to the charges, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that they should be remanded in DSS custody and be granted access to their lawyers.

As it relates to the charges involving Ashuwa, Alede and Halima Umar, the presiding judge adjourned till October 2 for trial.

He adjourned the charge involving Adamu and Abdullahi to October 9 for commencement of trial, while the charges involving Manjo, Tali, Antu and Oloche were adjourned till October 17 for trial.