A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Friday heard how one of the suspects standing trial over the Angwa Rukuba killings allegedly led more than 100 armed militiamen in attacks on Vom and several villages in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The suspect, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as “Shagari Bangai,” is among four men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the Angwa Rukuba massacre.
The attack, which occurred on Palm Sunday in 2026, reportedly claimed about 30 lives when gunmen invaded Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA.
Following the incident, DSS operatives arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and Adamu Alhassan Isa. The suspects, alongside one Ado Ibrahim who is currently at large, are facing charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
During the resumed hearing, the prosecution presented a witness, a DSS officer, who detailed the alleged involvement of Adamu Alhassan in banditry and terror-related activities across parts of the state.
The witness told the court that in his confessional statement, the defendant admitted to leading over 100 militiamen in coordinated attacks on Vom and surrounding communities in Riyom LGA.
He further told the court, presided over by Justice Danladi Longden, that over ₦4 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing was found in the defendant’s bank account at the time of his arrest.
Under cross-examination, defence counsel Mustapha Ibrahim Shaba, SAN, applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the statements of both the arresting and investigating officers to compare them with the photocopies served by the prosecution.
The court adjourned the matter until July 3, 2026, to allow the prosecution to provide the requested documents and continue trial proceedings.