A prosecution witness at the Plateau State High Court in Jos says a suspect standing trial over the Angwa Rukuba killings confessed to leading more than 100 armed men in attacks on communities in the state. The witness, an operative of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), testified during an accelerated hearing before Justice Danladi Longden. The defendant, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, is among five people facing charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition, linked to a Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area. About 30 people were reportedly killed in the incident.
The DSS operative told the court that Isa admitted in a confessional statement to participating in violent attacks across parts of Plateau State, including leading more than 100 armed men in assaults on Vom and villages in Riyom Local Government Area. The witness also said more than N4 million suspected to be connected to terrorism financing was found in Isa’s bank account at the time of his arrest. During cross-examination, counsel for the defence requested certified true copies of statements made by arresting and investigating officers. The judge adjourned the case until July 3.
