The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges linked to recent violent attacks in Benue and Nasarawa states.
The charges, spread across six separate suits, include terrorism, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms. The court has yet to fix a date for trial.
According to court filings, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe LGA of Nasarawa, face a four-count charge tied to the June 13–14 attacks on Yelwata community in Guma LGA of Benue. They are accused of withholding intelligence on planned assaults in Yelwata and Abinsi and conspiring with fugitives, including Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa and others, to launch coordinated raids.
The DSS said their conduct contravened Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2022.
Two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, were charged with carrying out reprisal attacks after the Yelwata killings.
Read Also: Abuja–Kaduna derailment: NRC recovers locomotive, coach, begins probe as 618 evacuated
In a separate case, 32-year-old Halima Haliru Umar from Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was charged with concealing information about the activities of a suspected gunrunner and kidnap kingpin identified as Alhaji Sani. She faces a four-count charge of aiding terrorist operations.
The DSS also arraigned Silas Iduh Oloche from Agatu LGA, Benue, on a six-count charge for unlawful possession of 18 firearms, including grenades, without a licence, in violation of Section 27 of the Firearms Act.
Prosecutors said more arrests have been made in connection with the violence, particularly over illegal arms stockpiling.
The Yelwata attack displaced several families and reignited tensions between farming and pastoralist communities. Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa remain flashpoints in Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
