A Department of State Services (DSS) operative has told a Plateau State High Court that one of the suspects standing trial over the Angwa Rukuba killings confessed to leading more than 100 armed men in attacks on several communities across the state.
The testimony was given on Friday, June 19, during the ongoing trial before Justice Danladi Longden in Jos.
The defendant, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, is among five individuals facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition. The suspects are being prosecuted over the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area, during which about 30 people were killed.
Testifying as a prosecution witness, the DSS operative told the court that Isa made a confessional statement admitting his involvement in a series of violent attacks across Plateau State. According to the witness, the defendant confessed to leading more than 100 armed men during attacks on Vom and several communities in Riyom Local Government Area.
The witness further alleged that more than N4 million, suspected to be linked to terrorism financing, was found in Isa’s bank account at the time of his arrest.
The Plateau State Government had earlier filed charges against Isa alongside Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, popularly known as Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who remains at large.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Mustapha Shaba requested certified true copies of statements obtained from the arresting and investigating officers. Shaba told the court that the defence intended to compare the certified documents with photocopies previously supplied by the prosecution as part of its trial preparation.
Justice Longden subsequently adjourned the case until July 3 to allow the prosecution to provide the requested documents and for the continuation of the trial.
The prosecution is seeking to establish the defendants’ alleged involvement in the deadly Angwa Rukuba attack, one of several violent incidents that have heightened security concerns in Plateau State in recent years. The allegations against the defendants remain before the court, and no verdict has been reached.
