A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS)
has told a Plateau State High Court that a suspect standing trial over the
deadly Palm Sunday attack in Jos confessed to leading more than 100 armed
militiamen in attacks across parts of the state.
The testimony was given during the accelerated hearing
before Justice Danladi Longden in the ongoing trial of Adamu Alhassan Isa,
popularly known as Shagari Bangai, and three other defendants facing charges of
criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and
unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
The defendants are being prosecuted in connection with
the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area,
which reportedly claimed the lives of about 30 people.
While giving evidence before the court, the DSS
operative stated that in his confessional statement, Adamu Alhassan admitted to
leading over 100 militia fighters during attacks on Vom and several communities
in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The witness further alleged that investigations
uncovered more than N4 million in the defendant’s bank account at the time of
his arrest. According to the prosecution, the funds are suspected to be
proceeds intended for terrorism financing.
The DSS officer also told the court that the accused
had previously been linked to banditry and other terrorism-related activities
in various parts of Plateau State.
During cross-examination, counsel to the first
defendant, Mustapha Ibrahim Shaba (SAN), requested Certified True Copies (CTCs)
of statements made by both the arresting and investigating officers.
The defence argued that access to the certified
documents was necessary to compare them with photocopies earlier provided by
the prosecution and to ensure accuracy in the proceedings.
Justice Longden granted the application and directed
the prosecution to produce the requested certified documents.
The case was subsequently adjourned until July 3,
2026, for the presentation of the documents and continuation of the trial.
The proceedings form part of ongoing efforts by
security agencies and prosecutors to secure convictions in cases linked to
violent attacks and insecurity in Plateau State, where communities have faced
repeated incidents of armed violence in recent years.
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