Plateau Killings: Suspect Admitted Leading 100 Gunmen In Attacks, DSS Tells Court

A prosecution witness has told a Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos that one of the suspects standing trial over the Angwa Rukuba killings confessed to leading more than 100 armed men in attacks on communities across the state.

The witness, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), made the disclosure on Friday during the accelerated hearing of the case before Justice Danladi Longden.

The suspect, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, is among five persons facing charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition.

The defendants are being prosecuted in connection with the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area, where about 30 persons were reportedly killed.

Testifying before the court, the DSS operative said Isa admitted in a confessional statement to participating in violent attacks in different parts of Plateau State.

According to the witness, the suspect confessed to leading more than 100 armed men during attacks on Vom and several communities in Riyom Local Government Area.

The witness further told the court that investigations linked the defendant to a series of violent incidents across the state.

The DSS operative also disclosed that more than 4 million naira suspected to be connected to terrorism financing was discovered in Isa’s bank account at the time of his arrest.

According to the witness, the funds formed part of the evidence being relied upon by the prosecution in the ongoing trial.

The Plateau State Government had earlier instituted charges against Isa alongside Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, popularly known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also called Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large.

During cross-examination, counsel to the defendant, Mustapha Shaba, requested certified true copies of statements made by the arresting and investigating officers.

Shaba told the court that the defence needed the certified documents to compare them with photocopies previously supplied by the prosecution.

Following the application, Justice Longden adjourned the matter until July 3, 2026, for the prosecution to furnish the requested documents and for continuation of trial proceedings.