A prosecution witness told the Plateau State High Court in Jos on Friday that one of the suspects standing trial over the deadly Angwan Rukuba killings confessed to leading more than 100 armed militiamen in coordinated attacks on communities in Riyom Local Government Area and Vom.

The witness, an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), disclosed during the accelerated hearing before Justice Danladi Longden in the ongoing trial of Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, and three others charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal 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, where about 30 people were killed.

While giving evidence, the DSS operative told the court that in his confessional statement, Adamu Alhassan admitted to leading over 100 militiamen in attacks on Vom and several villages in Riyom LGA.

The witness further testified that investigators discovered more than N4 million, suspected to be proceeds meant for terrorism financing, in the defendant’s bank account at the time of his arrest. He also alleged that the accused had a history of involvement in banditry and terrorism-related activities across parts of Plateau State.

During cross-examination, counsel to the first defendant, Mustapha Ibrahim Shaba (SAN), applied for the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the statements made by the arresting and investigating officers to enable the defence to compare them with the photocopies earlier served by the prosecution.

Justice Longden granted the request and adjourned the matter until July 3, 2026, for the prosecution to produce the certified documents and for the continuation of the trial. (Channels TV)

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