DSS arraigns 9 prime suspects in connection with Benue, Plateau killings
The Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, arraigned nine suspects arrested in connection with the recent killings that happened in both Benue and Plateau states before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged complicity. The suspects, who have been in the custody of the secret police while undergoing interrogation, were named as […]
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The Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, arraigned nine suspects arrested in connection with the recent killings that happened in both Benue and Plateau states before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged complicity.
The suspects, who have been in the custody of the secret police while undergoing interrogation, were named as defendants in six separate charges.
Those arraigned include: Terkende Ashuwa (46), Amos Alede (44), Haruna Adamu (26), Muhammed Abdullahi (48), Halima Haliru Usman (32), Timna Manjo (46), Nanbol Tali (75), Danjuma Antu (62) and Silas Iduh Oloche.
Daily Trust reports that one of the nine, Timna Manjol, pleaded guilty to two of the charges of illegal possession of arms filed against him.
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Other suspects entered their pleas to the allegations raised against them, including unlawful possession and dealing in firearms, assisting in terrorism activities, among others.
Ashuwa of Ukpam village and Alede of Akawe Tokula Polytechnic (both of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State were alleged, in a three-count charge, to have, in July, attended at Couch Bar, Daudu village, a meeting in connection with acts of terrorism.
After the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that they be remanded in the custody of the DSS and granted access to their lawyers.
As it relates to the charges involving Ashuwa, Alede, and Halima Umar, Justice Nwite adjourned the trial until October 2.
He adjourned the charge involving Adamu & Abdullahi to October 9 for the commencement of trial, while the charges involving Manjo, Tali, Antu, and Oloche till October 17 for trial.
In a related development, the DSS, on Wednesday, charged one Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna (aka Huzaifa Dogo) of Dogo village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, to court for alleged gunrunning.
The suspect, who has been remanded in the custody of the secret police after he was arrested with seven M16 assault rifles, was arraigned in court with a fresh five-count charge.