“SSS Witness Links Suspect To Plateau Attacks” — Court Hears Defendant Allegedly Confessed To Leading Over 100 Armed Men Against Communities

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

The witness, an operative of the Department of State Services, testified on Friday during the accelerated hearing of the case before Justice Danladi Longden.

The defendant, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, is standing trial alongside four others on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition.

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

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

The DSS operative told the court that Isa allegedly admitted in a confessional statement to participating in violent attacks across parts of Plateau State.

According to the witness, the defendant confessed to leading over 100 armed men in attacks on Vom and several villages in Riyom Local Government Area of the state.

The witness further told the court that more than ₦4 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing was found in the defendant’s bank account at the time of his arrest.

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

Shaba said the defence needed the certified documents to compare them with photocopies earlier provided by the prosecution.

Justice Longden thereafter adjourned the matter until July 3 for the prosecution to furnish the requested documents and for continuation of trial.