by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
PLATEAU STATE: Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the Palm Sunday Angwan Rukuba Community attack, in of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The case has been taken to court and the trial has been adjourned to the 30th of April, 2026, for the defendants to take their plead.
In his ruling on Thursday, at the Plateau State High Court Jos, Justice JD Fomyil explained that the four suspects couldn’t present counsel for them to take their individual plead.
Recalling that, the Angwan Rukuba Community attack recorded 20 deaths with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
In his application, Solicitor-General of Plateau State, Joel Takbal, urged court that, the defendants should remain in the custody of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to ease their ongoing investigation.
He noted that, they had rushed to the court to arraign the suspects, “because, as authority we do not want to violate their fundamental right of freedom of expression.”
According to him, as the suspects remain before the DSS Office, it’s to enable them facilitate the smooth investigation that is ongoing.
Solicitor-General Takbal further stated that, they are in court to arraign the five suspects arrested in connection with Angwan Rukuba attack, but the case was being adjourned.
He reiterated, saying, “You would recall that there was an attack at Angwan Rukuba a fortnight ago, which the President also came to the state and gave a marching order to all the investigatory agencies.
“In line with this, the DSS swung into action and, with God’s help, they were able to arrest these five defendants whom we have in court today.
“The proceedings today was ought to have been the taking of the plead of the defendants but could not go on, because they were not represented by any counsel.
“So, the case had to be adjourned to the 30th of April, 2026, to enable them secure the attendance or services of counsel of their choice.”
He said, “When the suspects were arrested, it was made known to the state. Prosecutions over the years were not done here; the suspects were usually taken to Abuja for prosecution.”
The Solicitor-General recalled that, during the President’s visit he gave a directive that security materials, CCTV cameras will be provided to the state for the purpose of security, which will go a long way in helping to secure the state.
He appreciated the President, the Governor, and even the Department of State Security for their collaboration and support to enable them have this case in the state.
He further explained that, one of the suspects was arraigned separately before he was joined with the other suspects.
Yes, one was arraigned separately before Court 12, because the offenses, apart from being involved in the offenses in Court 9, are also offenses peculiar to him,” Takbal explained.
He disclosed that “For the fifth defendant, offenses were committed from 2025 to this year, around Ryom Axis and Barkin-Ladi, and that is in Jos South.”
Joel Takbal explained that, that is why they charged him separately for that category of offenses, adding, “Then this one that we charged before Court 9 has to do with the attacks.”