The Department of State Services (DSS, on Thursday, August 28, 2025, filed charges against nine suspects allegedly linked to the brutal and deadly attacks on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and parts of Plateau State.
According to the charge sheet of the case filed before a Federal High Court, Abuja, were alleged to have been involved in carrying out the attacks that left over 40 persons dead with many others injured, and hundreds displaced in the two states.
The devastating massacre prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit Benue State, during which he directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime and tasked the people of the state to live in peace.
The charge sheet by the DSS stated that Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and others still at large, had on June 13, 2025, allegedly carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages.
The two accused persons were believed to have conspired with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina and others still at large to carry out the deadly attacks on Yelwata.
The DSS told the court that offence is contrary to and punishable under section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In the charge sheet marked THC/ABJ/CR/449/2025, and filed on behalf of the Federal government by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Abubakar, the two defendants were accused of engaging in a conduct in preparation to commit terrorism.
The were also allegedly accused of jointly haven acted with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina and others still at large for committing the act of terror in Abinsi and Yelwata contrary to section 29 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In another case, two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State were charged with a three-count charge of allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks against the terror suspects involved in Abinsi and Yelwata.
In the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the suspects were accused of attending and participating in a meeting which led to committing the acts of terrorism, causing destruction to private property resulting in the economic loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State.
The offence, the DPP noted is contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
In count two, the suspects were said to have in July 2025, at a meeting in Daudu town in Guma LGA, conspired to carry out terrorism act along with others at large, contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
In count Three, the DSS accused the two defendants of knowingly rendering support and receiving material assistance of locally made guns and AK-47 rifles from one Alhaji Uba to carry out act of terrorism that led to the destruction of private property and loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
Similarly, in another case file, a 32year old woman, Halima Haliru Umar of Faskari Local Government Area of Kastina State was charged with a four-count charge of terrorism that included, transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle live ammunition to bandits in July 2025, which the DSS said contravened Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
Halima Umar was also charged with concealing information about one Alhaji Sani, a suspected gun runner, bandit and kidnapper, information the DSS said would have led to apprehending and preventing acts of terrorism.
The DSS said that Halima’s action is contrary to Section 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In a related development, a 75year old man, Nanbol Tali and his accomplice, Timnan Manjo, were charged with a 4-count charges for allegedly engaging in buying and selling of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without license for N3 million, an offence the DSS said is contrary to Section 9 of the Act, and is punishable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act 2024.
The two suspects were accused of having a locally fabricated Ak-47 rifle in their possession in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state and were also charged with buying three long-range revolvers at N60,000 each from one Chomo with the aim of reselling them to bandits
In the same vein, one Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA of Plateau state was charged with a five-count charge of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols firearms capable of discharging 9mm ammunition calibre which the DSS told the court was contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act 2024 and punishable under section 27.
The DSS also filed a six-count charge against one Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA of Benue State over unlawful possession of 18 firearms (grenades) without license which the Secret Service said is contrary to Section 3 and punishable under section 27 of the Firearms Act.
The DSS said that Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, with 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act
No date has been fixed by the court for the commencement of trial of the suspects.
