The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned nine suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged roles in recent killings and violence in Benue and Plateau States.
Among them are Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. They face a four-count charge linked to attacks in Abinsi and Yelewata villages in Benue’s Guma LGA, allegedly committed on June 13, 2025, in collaboration with others still at large.
Two other defendants, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue, are charged with reprisal attacks that led to property destruction and the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam Village.
In a separate case, Halima Haliru Umar, 32, from Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was charged with failing to disclose information about Alhaji Sani, identified by the DSS as a suspected gunrunner, bandit, and kidnapper.
The agency also filed a six-count charge against Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue, accusing him of unlawful possession of 18 firearms, including grenades, without a licence — an offence punishable under the Firearms Act.
In Plateau State, Nanbol Tali, 75, and Timnan Manjo were arraigned for allegedly selling two locally made AK-47 rifles in an illegal N3 million arms deal.
Similarly, Danjuma Antu, 62, of Jos North LGA, faces a five-count charge for unlawful possession of two locally made pistols and 9mm ammunition.
The DSS said the prosecutions underscore its commitment to curbing banditry, gunrunning, and communal violence threatening lives and security in the Middle Belt region.
About the author
Dangote Refinery slashes petrol price by N75/litre to N1,175
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) by N75 per litre, bringing the new rate to N1,175 per litre from the previous N1,250. In a circular sent to fuel marketers on Monday, the refinery said the adjustment follows the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which had affected energy prices over the past three months. The refinery also lowered its coastal price per metric tonne from N1,595,790 to N1,495,215. Both the new gantry and coastal rates will take effect from midnight on June 16, 2026. The circular noted that all outstanding unloaded gantry volumes will be repriced at the new rate effective 12:00 AM on June 16. According to Petroleumprice.ng, Dangote Refinery is now the cheapest source of petrol in Nigeria, as many marketers sold petrol at around N1,240 per litre on Monday. […]
Gunmen attack NIPSS in Plateau and kill three security operatives
Gunmen attack NIPSS in Plateau and kill three security operatives Gunmen attacked the National Institute for Political Leadership and Security (NIPSS) in Plateau State on June 16 2026 and killed three security operatives. The attack happened during daylight and left the institute in shock. A staff member at the institute confirmed that three security personnel died in the attack. The victims included two soldiers and one police officer who were on duty protecting the facility. Their names have not been released yet as authorities are still gathering information. Security teams quickly responded to the scene and chased away the gunmen. The area is now under heavy security as investigators work to find out who carried out the attack and why. Local residents reported hearing multiple gunshots before the attackers fled. NIPSS is a key training center for political leaders and […]
Blood Sisters 2: Daniel Etim-Effiong was professional in intimate scene – Kate Henshaw
Actress Kate Henshaw has shared details about filming an intimate scene with actor Daniel Etim-Effiong in Blood Sisters 2, praising the actor for remaining professional throughout the shoot. Speaking with Chude Jideonwo on his show, Henshaw addressed the public interest in the scene and explained how it was handled on set with clear communication and professionalism. "My character was topless while we were shooting the sex scene and at no point did Daniel get an erection," she revealed, emphasizing the professional nature of the filming. Henshaw emphasized that communication was crucial during the filming process and noted that Etim-Effiong remained reassuring throughout. The actress highlighted how the actor conducted himself professionally, maintaining proper boundaries and focusing on the creative aspects of the scene rather than any personal elements. The intimate scene from Blood Sisters 2 has generated significant discussion, with […]
Clarion Chukwurah pays tribute to late actor Kola Oyewo
Veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah has joined Nigeria's entertainment industry in mourning the death of Professor Kola Oyewo, a distinguished actor, scholar, and one of the finest Yoruba theatre artists, who passed away at the age of 80. With heavy hearts, the Nigerian creative community has bid farewell to Professor Kola Oyewo, whose contributions to Yoruba Nollywood and the broader theatre landscape left an indelible mark on the industry. Chukwurah, a celebrated actress herself, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the veteran performer who was known for his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. Actor Kunle Afod's emotional tribute to the late actor moved many in the industry, with Afod declaring: "We lost a legend" as the creative community mourned yet another giant of Yoruba cinema. The tribute highlighted Oyewo's significant impact on Nigerian entertainment and his enduring legacy […]
Edo Queens clinch second NWFL Premiership title, secure continental ticket
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following a determined 0-0 draw against Bayelsa Queens, securing their second domestic title and a ticket to continental competition. The Benin City-based team, also known as the Benin Arsenals Ladies or Benin Ladies, finished the NWFL Premiership season as champions with another silverware after the goalless draw that was enough to clinch the league title. The highly contested encounter could not produce any goal, but the point share secured the league title for Edo Queens and capped off an impressive campaign throughout the season. The triumph marks a second NWFL Premiership title for head coach Moses Aduku, who once again guided Edo Queens to domestic success with a disciplined and consistent performance. This follows their first-ever title won in 2023-24, when they emerged as champions […]
Real Madrid confirm €60m Cucurella signing from Chelsea
Real Madrid have finalized a deal worth up to £51.8 million to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, with the transfer set to be completed after the conclusion of the World Cup. The arrangement includes a base fee of £47.5 million plus an additional £4.3 million in performance-related bonuses, establishing a permanent move agreed among all parties. Fabrizio Romano revealed that Cucurella has agreed to a six-year deal at the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid paying Chelsea €60 million (£52 million) for his services. The 27-year-old Spanish left-back is currently representing Spain in the World Cup tournament taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Cucurella, who transferred to Chelsea for £63 million from Brighton in 2022, has expressed a strong desire to return to Spain, having developed through Barcelona's youth system. The move comes as a blow to incoming Chelsea […]
Related
Dangote Refinery slashes petrol price by N75/litre to N1,175
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) by N75 per litre, bringing the new rate to N1,175 per litre from the previous N1,250. In a circular sent to fuel marketers on Monday, the refinery said the adjustment follows the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which had affected energy prices over the past three months. The refinery also lowered its coastal price per metric tonne from N1,595,790 to N1,495,215. Both the new gantry and coastal rates will take effect from midnight on June 16, 2026. The circular noted that all outstanding unloaded gantry volumes will be repriced at the new rate effective 12:00 AM on June 16. According to Petroleumprice.ng, Dangote Refinery is now the cheapest source of petrol in Nigeria, as many marketers sold petrol at around N1,240 per litre on Monday. […]
Gunmen attack NIPSS in Plateau and kill three security operatives
Gunmen attack NIPSS in Plateau and kill three security operatives Gunmen attacked the National Institute for Political Leadership and Security (NIPSS) in Plateau State on June 16 2026 and killed three security operatives. The attack happened during daylight and left the institute in shock. A staff member at the institute confirmed that three security personnel died in the attack. The victims included two soldiers and one police officer who were on duty protecting the facility. Their names have not been released yet as authorities are still gathering information. Security teams quickly responded to the scene and chased away the gunmen. The area is now under heavy security as investigators work to find out who carried out the attack and why. Local residents reported hearing multiple gunshots before the attackers fled. NIPSS is a key training center for political leaders and […]
Bullets before ballots: insecurity threatens 2027 polls; 5,272 killed in 5 months
Seven months to the 2027 general elections, worsening insecurity across Nigeria is casting a shadow over preparations for what should be a watershed democratic exercise, with a staggering 5,272 people killed in just five months amid a resurgence of terrorist attacks and banditry. Before the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria has become a major source of national concern, undermining public confidence in the electoral process. The country's security situation has continued to deteriorate with increasing attacks on civilians, schools, and military formations, raising serious questions about whether the elections will hold as scheduled. Data from the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 showed that Nigeria recorded 171 terror attacks in 2025, representing a 43 per cent increase from the 120 attacks recorded in 2024. Terror-related deaths also rose from 513 in 2024 […]
Police report: Bandits launch over 50 attacks in one week
Nigeria’s security challenges have worsened with a new police report revealing that bandits launched more than 50 attacks across the country within the space of one week, despite the government spending about N57.78bn on security. According to the report cited by Punch, the wave of attacks included killings, abductions, raids on communities, and assaults on security formations in multiple states, underscoring the growing boldness and spread of bandit operations. Many of the incidents occurred in rural areas, where residents remain highly vulnerable due to limited security presence and delayed response times. The report noted that, in that one-week period, bandits targeted highways, villages, worship centres and farmlands, leaving scores of civilians dead, dozens abducted, and several others injured or displaced. Some attacks involved the burning of houses and public infrastructure, further deepening humanitarian and economic pressures on affected communities. Despite […]
Diya and I didn’t know where Abiola was held, says Abdulsalami
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has revealed that before he assumed power in 1998, neither he nor General Oladipo Diya, the then Chief of General Staff and second‑in‑command to General Sani Abacha, knew the exact location where Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was being detained. Abdulsalami said that, despite occupying senior positions in the military hierarchy under Abacha, key details about Abiola’s incarceration were tightly controlled and kept away from them. He explained that it was only after Abacha’s sudden death on June 8, 1998, and his own emergence as Head of State, that he gained direct access to information regarding Abiola’s custody. In his account, Abdulsalami stressed that Abacha’s regime operated with a high level of secrecy, especially on sensitive political detainees like Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He […]
“Don’t blame me for Igbo pogrom in North,” says Gowon
Former Nigerian Army soldier and activist, Major (rtd) Gowon, has sparked controversy after making statements about violence against Igbos in northern Nigeria, saying he should not be blamed for the pogrom [not sourced from original article - please verify]. In his remarks, Gowon reportedly said that blaming him for the violence against Igbos in the North is unfair and that he has not been involved in any such activities that would warrant such accusations [not sourced from original article - please verify]. The activist's comments come amid ongoing tensions and security concerns affecting ethnic communities across Nigeria, particularly in the North-South divide [not sourced from original article - please verify]. Gowon's statement has drawn criticism from various groups who feel that his position is insensitive to the suffering of displaced families and victims of ethnic violence [not sourced from original […]