Crime
YELWATA KILLINGS: DSS Files Charges Against Suspects over Benue Attacks
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday filed six separate charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja against terror suspects responsible for deadly attacks in Yelwata village, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assaults left numerous people dead and others injured.
The charges involve nine suspects apprehended through intelligence-led operations by DSS operatives. However, only two of these suspects were charged in court on four counts related to the Yelwata massacre.
The accused, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, alongside others still at large, are alleged to have carried out attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025.
Their actions violate Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2022.
The two suspects are accused of conspiring with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, Pyeure Damina, and others still at large, to execute the Yelwata attacks.
According to the DSS charges, the defendants knowingly concealed critical information about the planned terrorist attacks and killings in Abinsi and Yelwata between June 13 and 14, which could have aided in preventing the acts and apprehending 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 with the named co-conspirators, in violation of Section 29 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
In a separate charge, two more suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede from Guma Local Government Area, were charged with three counts for allegedly conducting reprisal attacks against terror suspects involved in the Abinsi and Yelwata incidents.
In case file FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the pair are accused of attending and participating in meetings that led to acts of terrorism causing destruction of private property and economic loss, including the death of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State.
This is contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
The second count alleges that in July 2025, they conspired during a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, to carry out terrorist acts together with others still at large, violating Section 26 of the same Act.
The third count claims they knowingly supported and received material assistance in the form of locally made guns and an AK-47 rifle from one Alhaji Uba to commit terrorism, leading to property destruction and cattle loss in Ukpam village, punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act.
Additionally, Halima Haliru Umar, a 32-year-old woman from Faskari Local Government Area, Katsina State, faces a four-count charge for concealing information about Alhaji Sani, a suspected gun runner, bandit, and kidnapper.
Her actions allegedly prevented the timely apprehension of criminal elements, violating Section 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
She is also accused of aiding terrorism by transporting 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition to bandits in July 2025, contrary to Section 13 of the Act.
In another case, two elderly men—75-year-old Nanbol Tali and Timnan Manjo—face four-count charges for illegal possession and trading of firearms.
They are accused of buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without licenses for 3 million naira, violating Sections 9 and 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024.
They allegedly possessed one AK-47 rifle in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, and purchased three long-range revolver rifles at 60,000 naira each from an individual named Chomo, intending to resell them to bandits.
In a related development, Danjuma Antu of Jos North, Plateau State, was charged on five counts for unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols capable of firing 9mm ammunition, contrary to Section 3 and punishable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024.
Similarly, Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, faces six counts of unlawful possession of 18 firearms (including grenades) without licenses, violating Sections 3 and 27 of the Firearms Act.
He was reportedly found with 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition on August 2, 2025, contrary to Section 8 of the same Act.
No trial date has yet been scheduled for the suspects charged on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
At least 15 people have been killed in a deadly reprisal attack by suspected bandits on the Kadobe and Falale communities in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, heightening concerns over the fragility of ongoing peace efforts in the region.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Daddara district, where gunmen reportedly clashed with local vigilantes and community guards.
According to the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the violence erupted after vigilantes engaged a group of repentant bandits, resulting in the initial deaths of three individuals.
This sparked a large-scale reprisal by armed bandits, leading to the additional fatalities.
Residents described the attack as unprovoked and targeted primarily at members of the local vigilante group, exacerbating fears in the already vulnerable rural areas.
According to reports, the surge in insecurity over the past 20 days including repeated killings and cattle rustling has coincided with reports of bandits who had previously claimed to repent under local peace initiatives.
Many residents in southern Jibia expressed deep frustration, alleging that their communities have been largely excluded from broader peace negotiations between government authorities and armed groups.
They accused authorities at federal, state, and local levels of failing to deliver adequate security, leaving rural populations exposed to persistent threats despite dialogue efforts.
The attack underscores persistent challenges in Katsina State, where community-led peace pacts in areas like Jibia have aimed to reduce violence through repentance and truces, but incidents continue to undermine confidence in these arrangements.
No immediate official comment was available on casualties beyond the confirmed 15 deaths or on any security response to the latest violence.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected notorious gunrunner, Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo, in Cross River State.
The arrest was made on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area.
According to security sources, the operation was based on credible intelligence that Dugo was planning to take delivery of 850 rounds of live ammunition from Azenda Barnabas, also known as Jagaban, a gunrunner based in Aliade, Benue State.
DSS operatives intercepted Dugo shortly after he received the consignment, which had been cleverly concealed inside food items. Items recovered from him include 850 rounds of live ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines.
The DSS described the arrest as part of its intensified nationwide crackdown on gunrunning syndicates and illegal arms proliferation.
“The Service has intensified its pursuit of such criminals, launching sustained operations across nearly all states of the Federation,” a source said.
The agency added that the operation is one of several ongoing efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in the illegal arms trade.
No further details have been released as investigations continue.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured in a series of suspected suicide bombings that struck three locations in Maiduguri on Monday evening.
In an official statement, Police Public Relations Officer Nahum Kenneth Daso said the coordinated attacks occurred around 7:24 p.m. on March 16, 2026, targeting the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover.
The explosions, believed to have been carried out with improvised explosive devices, were described as suspected suicide bombings. All 108 injured victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Security forces, including police and military personnel, responded swiftly to the scenes. The Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit conducted sweep operations to ensure no additional threats remained, while the affected areas were cordoned off.
Borno State Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid visited the blast sites and assured residents that security had been intensified across the city.
He said investigations into the attacks are ongoing.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incidents, which rank among the deadliest in Maiduguri in recent years.
Middle East War: IEA recommends options to ease oil price pressures on consumers, Motorists
Hong Kong police can now demand phone passwords under new national security rules
UN issues new climate warning as El Niño looms
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News4 hours agoBUK expels 171 students for admission frauds
-
Sports17 hours agoOdegbami: Why CAF should return AFCON 2025 trophy back to Senegal
-
Entertainment4 hours agoPapa Ajasco rebrands as Bondu Alaska
-
Sports17 hours agoFIFA orders representation of female coaches across all women’s tournaments
-
Entertainment4 hours agoAGN President Jetting to London for UK–Nigeria Creative Roundtable and Awards
-
News16 hours agoWhy I returned to school – Emir Sanusi
-
Business4 hours agoMoniepoint buys Orda to capture Africa’s $50bn restaurant economy
-
Entertainment3 days agoJUST IN: Movie Star Chuck Norris Dies at 86