A Plateau State High Court in Jos has directed that four suspects standing trial over the Anguwan Rukuba killings in Jos North Local Government Area remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the conclusion of investigations.
The defendants are facing charges of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and terrorism in connection with the March 28 attack, which reportedly left more than 30 people dead.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, told the court that the prosecution had filed a Case Management Conference (CMC) alongside the charges and requested a date for the conference. He also sought the continued remand of the suspects, citing ongoing investigations and the fact that a key suspect is still at large.
The prosecution said the defendants are charged under Sections 269 and 270 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law 2017, alleging that they conspired, organised, financed, and carried out the Anguwan Rukuba attack.
In a related case, another suspect, Adamu Alhassan, was arraigned on a six-count charge including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, terrorism, and unlawful possession and dealing in firearms and ammunition. The prosecution maintained that his detention was necessary under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Plateau State 2018, as investigations continue.
Defence counsel, Mustapha Ibrahim (SAN), did not oppose the scheduling of the CMC but objected to the continued detention of his clients in DSS custody, arguing it could limit access to them. However, the Attorney General dismissed the concern, stating that the DSS does not deny lawyers access to detainees.
In his ruling, Justice Danladi Longden ordered that the suspects remain in DSS custody and directed the agency to grant defence counsel access to their clients.
The case was adjourned to May 8, 2026, for the Case Management Conference.
The suspects were arrested between April 3 and April 10 following the attacks, which sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for justice in Plateau State. Earlier, Bola Tinubu had visited Jos, assuring residents that those responsible would be brought to justice and announcing a ₦2 billion relief fund for victims.