The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday filed charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against nine suspects linked to recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, and parts of Plateau State, which left no fewer than 40 people dead, many others injured, and hundreds displaced.
The atrocities prompted a visit by President Bola Tinubu, who implored the people of Benue to embrace peace.
He also urged security agencies to track down the criminals.
The DSS said in a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/453/2025, dated August 8, 2025, that the individuals, who were apprehended across ethnic and religious lines, were behind coordinated attacks.
According to the accusation, Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State, and others who remain at large reportedly carried out attacks on the residents of Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025.
According to the DSS, the offence violates and is punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
Adamu and Abdullahi were also accused of planning with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahmadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina, among others, to carry out the attacks.
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The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar, accused the two defendants of preparing to commit terrorism.
Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue State, were charged with three counts of allegedly carrying out retaliation assaults against terror suspects implicated in the Abinsi and Yelwata events.
According to the charge sheet FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the two were accused of attending and engaging in a meeting that resulted in acts of terrorism, including the destruction of private property and the loss of 12 livestock in Ukpam village, Benue State.
This, the DPP argued, violates Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Count two alleged that in July 2025, at a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, the suspects planned with individuals still at large to commit terrorism, in violation of Section 26 of the act.
Count three accused them of intentionally obtaining material aid, including locally made firearms and AK-47 rifles, from one Alhaji Uba for acts of terrorism that resulted in property destruction and cattle loss in Ukpam, in violation of Section 13 of the act.
In a second case, a 32-year-old lady, Halima Haliru Umar of Faskari LGA in Katsina State, was charged with four counts of terrorism. She was accused of delivering 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits in July 2025, which violated Section 13 of the Act.
She was also accused of withholding information on one Alhaji Sani, a suspected arms dealer, bandit, and kidnapper. The DSS stated that the information may have led to his arrest and prevented acts of terrorism. This, it claimed, violates Section 6 of the Act.
A 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another, Timnan Manjo, were charged with four counts of illegally buying and selling two locally made AK-47 firearms for ₦3 million. The DSS stated that the offence violates Section 9 of the Act and is penalised under Section 27 of the Firearms Act of 2024.
They were accused of carrying a locally made AK-47 rifle in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, and purchasing three long-range revolvers for ₦60,000 each from a Chomo for resale by bandits.
Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA in Plateau State was also charged with five counts of unlawful possession of two locally made pistols capable of firing 9 mm calibre ammunition. The DSS stated that this violates Section 3 of the Firearms Act, 2024, and is punished under Section 27.
In another case, the DSS filed a six-count charge against Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, for unlawful possession of 18 guns, including grenades, without a licence, in violation of Section 3 of the Guns Act and punishable by Section 27.
On August 2, 2025, Oloche was also accused of violating Section 8 of the Firearms Act by possessing 683 live rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.
There is no set date for the trial yet.
