The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, on Wednesday, reserved ruling on a preliminary objection on jurisdiction filed by counsel to some suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), and standing trial for their roles in the Angwa Rukuba massacre of late March and early April of 2026.
At the resumed trial on Wednesday, the Plateau State Director of Civil Litigation, Sabo Longji, told the court that two of the defendants filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the the court’s jurisdiction, praying the court to strike out the case against them.
The prosecution, however, told the court presided over by Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon, that it filed a counter-affidavit dated June 29, 2026, which had been served on the defendants.
When the defence counsel, led by M. I. Shaba (SAN), M. I. Salihu and S.M Danlami, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the counter affidavit was filed out of time, the prosecution made a fresh application for extension of time, which the court granted.
The judge adjourned the matter to 2nd July 2026 to hear the motion, while the substantive matter was adjourned to 15th July, 2026.
The defendants are to remain in the custody of the DSS.
On Palm Sunday of 2026, a number of gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA of the state, killing about 30 persons. Days later, the DSS arrested Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.
The Plateau State government charged the four suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, said to be at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.
