A PROSECUTION witness has told a Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos that one of the suspects standing trial over the Angwa Rukuba killings admitted to leading more than 100 armed men in attacks on several communities across the state.
NEWS POINT NIGERIA reports that the witness, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), made the disclosure on Friday during the accelerated hearing of the case before Justice Danladi Longden.
The defendant, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, is among five persons facing charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition.
The suspects are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where about 30 people were reportedly killed.
Earlier, the Plateau State Government filed charges against Isa alongside Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, popularly called Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who is currently said to be at large.
According to information published by Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the DSS operative told the court that Isa admitted in a confessional statement to participating in several violent attacks across parts of Plateau State.
The witness testified that the defendant confessed to leading more than 100 armed men during attacks on Vom and several communities in Riyom Local Government Area.
According to the witness, the suspect allegedly played a significant role in coordinating assaults carried out in the affected communities.
Court Told ₦4 Million Linked to Terror Financing Was Found
The DSS operative further told the court that investigators discovered more than ₦4 million in the defendant’s bank account at the time of his arrest.
According to the witness, the funds were suspected to be linked to terrorism financing, a claim presented as part of the prosecution’s evidence in the ongoing trial.
The revelation formed part of the testimony presented before the court as prosecutors continued efforts to establish the allegations against the accused persons.
During cross-examination, counsel to the defendant, Mustapha Shaba, requested certified true copies of statements made by both the arresting officer and the investigating officer involved in the case.
Shaba explained that the defence intended to compare the certified documents with photocopies that had earlier been supplied by the prosecution.
The request was aimed at examining the consistency and authenticity of the evidence already presented before the court.
Following the defence application, Justice Danladi Longden adjourned the matter until July 3.
The court directed the prosecution to provide the requested certified documents before the next hearing date.
The trial is expected to continue on the adjourned date as the prosecution proceeds with its case against the defendants over the Angwa Rukuba killings and related charges.