Yelwata Killings: DSS Files Terrorism, Firearms Charges Against Suspects In Benue Attacks

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple terrorism and firearms-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja against several suspects accused of carrying out the deadly attacks on Yelwata village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The assaults, which occurred on June 13, 2025, left several people dead and others injured. According to the charges, nine suspects were apprehended through intelligence-led operations, though only two were arraigned on Thursday on four counts connected to the massacre.

The accused, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, were charged alongside others still at large for attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages in violation of Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

The DSS alleged that the pair conspired with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, Pyeure Damina, and others at large to carry out the coordinated assaults. They were also accused of withholding critical intelligence between June 13 and 14 that could have helped prevent the killings and led to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Abubakar, on behalf of the Federal Government, the charges further accuse the defendants of preparing to commit acts of terrorism in violation of Section 29 of the Act.

In a separate case, two more suspects — Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA — were charged on three counts for allegedly conducting reprisal attacks against terror suspects involved in the Abinsi and Yelwata incidents.

The charge sheet, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, alleges that the pair participated in meetings that led to terrorist acts resulting in the destruction of property and the death of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State, contrary to Section 12 of the Act. They were also accused of conspiring in July 2025 in Daudu town, Guma LGA, to carry out further terrorist acts, and of knowingly receiving firearms — including an AK-47 rifle — from a man identified as Alhaji Uba.

Another suspect, Halima Haliru Umar, a 32-year-old woman from Faskari LGA of Katsina State, was charged on four counts for concealing information about a suspected gun runner and transporting 302 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition to bandits in July 2025. Her actions, according to prosecutors, violated Sections 6 and 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Two elderly men, 75-year-old Nanbol Tali and Timnan Manjo, were also arraigned on four counts of illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. They allegedly purchased and resold AK-47 rifles and revolvers worth millions of naira without licences, in breach of Sections 9 and 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024.

In a related charge, Danjuma Antu of Jos North, Plateau State, was accused of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols capable of firing 9mm ammunition, while Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, faces six counts for being in possession of 18 unlicensed firearms, including grenades, and 683 rounds of live ammunition.

No trial date has yet been fixed for the suspects, who were charged on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Boluwatife Enome 

The post Yelwata Killings: DSS Files Terrorism, Firearms Charges Against Suspects In Benue Attacks appeared first on Arise News.

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