Trial of Suspect in Deadly Angwan Rukuba Attack Commences in Jos
Last update: May 1, 2026
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The court ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody pending the full commencement of trial.
The long-awaited trial of suspects linked to the brutal March 29, 2026, attack on the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria officially began on Thursday before Justice Jacob Longden of the Plateau State High Court.
CBI News reports that the proceedings mark a significant step in the pursuit of justice for one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent times. Gunmen stormed the largely Christian community on Palm Sunday, killing at least 27 to over 30 people, according to various reports, with many others injured and properties destroyed.
The first defendant, Adamu Alhassan (also referred to as Adamu Isa Alhassan in some reports), pleaded not guilty to all six counts leveled against him. The charges include:
- Criminal conspiracy
- Culpable homicide
- Terrorism
- Illegal possession of firearms
- Unlawful dealing in firearms and ammunition
Prosecutors allege that Alhassan and other suspects conspired to commit acts of terrorism that facilitated the deadly assault on Angwan Rukuba and possibly other attacks in Plateau State communities. He was arraigned alongside four other suspects, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, and others who were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) between April 3 and 10, 2026.
During the hearing, Alhassan denied all allegations. Justice Longden adjourned the matter to May 8, 2026, for a case management conference.
Other suspects were also remanded in DSS custody as investigations and proceedings continue.
The attack on Angwan Rukuba, located near the University of Jos, sent shockwaves across Nigeria, drawing condemnation from religious leaders, residents, and the federal government. President Bola Tinubu later approved ₦2 billion in relief support for victims and affected families.
Families and business associates of some of the suspects have pushed back against the charges, describing the accused as ordinary traders with no involvement in the violence. One relative claimed Adamu Alhassan was arrested while conducting his vegetable supply business at a local market.
The trial is being closely watched amid ongoing security challenges in Plateau State, where recurring farmer-herder clashes and banditry have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years. Legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for how terrorism-related cases linked to communal attacks are prosecuted in the state.
Court proceedings continue under tight security as the prosecution prepares to present its case.
