Angwa Rukuba Killings: Witness, In Accelerated Hearing, Tells Court How Suspect Led Militia Attacks On Riyom, Vom

The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, on Friday, heard how one of the suspects standing trial for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition in the Angwa Rukuba attack, led over 100 militiamen to attack Vom and many villages in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The suspect, Adamu Alhassan Isa aka Shagari Bangai, is one of the four men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the Angwa Rukuba massacre.

On Palm Sunday of 2026, a number of gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA of the state, killing about 30 persons. Days later, the DSS also arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.

The Plateau State government charged the four suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, said to be at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.

At the resumed trial of the suspects, the prosecution presented a witness who chronicled Adamu Alhassan’s history of involvement in banditry and terrorism activities around the state.

The witness, an officer of the DSS, told the court that, in his confessional statement, Alhassan admitted to leading over 100 militiamen to attack Vom and villages in Riyom LGA. At the time of his arrest, the witness further told the court, presided over by Justice Danladi Longden, over N4 million suspected to be for terrorism financing, was discovered in his bank account.

During cross examination, counsel to the defendant, Mustapha Ibrahim Shaba, SAN, made an application for the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the arresting officer and investigating officer’s statements to compare with the photocopies served on them by the prosecution.

The judge adjourned the matter to 3rd July 2026, to enable the prosecution provide the CTCs of the defendant’s statement and continuation of trial.