Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court orders suspects to remain in DSS’ custody*Okays speedy trial

A Plateau State High Court on Friday ordered that four suspects standing trial for their alleged involvement in the March 2026 killings in the Angwa Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court also agreed to a request by the prosecution to speed up the trial. The matter was adjourned to May 26 to consider the report on the case management conference, and 1st and 2nd July for hearing.

The suspects, identified as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and others, are facing charges of terrorism and criminal conspiracy.

The charges were filed by the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, under the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.
On Friday, Mustapha Shabbat (SAN), who announced his appearance for the defendants, objected to their continued detention in the facility of the DSS.

In a short ruling, however, the trial judge held it it remained the discretion of the court to determine where to keep suspects under trial.

“Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this honorable court has jurisdiction to remand the defendant in the custody of DSS or correctional centr provided the place of custody is safe.
“The defendants are hereby remanded in the custody of the DSS. They must however be allowed to have access to his counsels while in detention pending the prompt conclusion of investigation,” ruled the judge.

Court: Case management has already been taken place in accordance with the provisions of the law. The case is hereby adjourned to 26th May for report of the court on case management and further adjourned to 1st and 2nd July, 2026 for hearing.

The particulars of offence read, in part “That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; you thereby committed the above offence.

“That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did commit the offence of terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, contributed and received money to carry out an attack in Angwan Rukuba, which led to the death of over thirty (30) people in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
Part of the particulars of Alhassan’s offence read, “That you Adamu Isah Alhassan together with one Ibrahim Musa (Now at Large), Imarana Sa’idu (Now at Large), Yusuf Sa’idu (Now at Large) Aliyu Usaini (Now at Large), Yahuza Adamu (Now at Large), Mubarak Yunusa (Now at Large), Yakubu, whose surname is unknown (Now at Large) and others also at large between the months of January to December, 2025 and in January, 2026 at Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Culpable Homicide Punishable with Death, when you armed yourselves with guns, attacked and killed the residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and you thereby committed the above offence.”

Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court orders suspects to remain in DSS’ custody*Okays speedy trial

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Security at MNJTF Meeting in Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation and collective security efforts aimed at combating terrorism, insurgency and transnational crimes across the Lake Chad Basin.

Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defense stated this during the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) meeting held on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.

Musa, who attended the meeting alongside the joined defence ministers and senior military chiefs from Chad, Cameroon and Benin to review ongoing military operations and strengthen collaborative strategies for regional peace and stability.

According to the CDS, terrorism and insurgency within the Lake Chad region can only be effectively addressed through sustained regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and operational synergy among member states.

“Terrorism, insurgency and transnational threats can only be confronted through regional cooperation, intelligence fusion, synergy and sustained commitment among states,” he said.

He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for participating countries to assess the progress of ongoing joint military operations under the MNJTF framework and identify areas requiring stronger collaboration.

Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to continue supporting collective security initiatives aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.

“Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to collective security and the restoration of lasting peace across the Lake Chad Basin,” he said.

The CDS further stressed the importance of coordinated border security operations, intelligence-driven missions and enhanced military cooperation among member countries in addressing evolving security threats within the region.

The MNJTF, established by countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, coordinates multinational military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other transnational criminal networks operating around the Lake Chad region.

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Security at MNJTF Meeting in Chad

India Moves to Reset Africa Relations After 10-Year Gap, Targets Deeper Nigeria Partnership

By: Michael Mike

The Government of India is seeking to recalibrate its strategic engagement with Africa through the forthcoming 2026 India-Africa Forum Summit, with Nigeria positioned at the centre of New Delhi’s renewed diplomatic, economic and cultural outreach to the continent.

India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists ahead of the fourth edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to hold on May 31 in New Delhi.

The summit, which is returning after a decade-long break, is expected to bring together African heads of state, ministers, business leaders, investors, diplomats and cultural stakeholders as India seeks to strengthen its influence across Africa amid growing global competition for economic and strategic partnerships on the continent.

“This summit is not merely a diplomatic gathering. It is a platform to deepen political dialogue, security cooperation, trade relations, developmental partnerships, people-to-people exchanges and cultural collaboration between India and Africa,” Singh said.

The envoy noted that the last summit was held in 2015 and argued that both Africa and India had undergone major political and economic changes since then, making the upcoming meeting particularly significant.

According to him, the summit will begin with senior officials’ engagements on May 28, followed by a meeting of foreign ministers on May 29 before the main leaders’ summit on May 31.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has been invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the summit.

“We would be truly honoured to have the participation of His Excellency, the President,” Singh stated.

The High Commissioner described Nigeria as a strategic pillar in India’s Africa policy, citing the country’s democratic credentials, economic weight and regional influence.

“Nigeria is Africa’s largest democracy and one of the continent’s biggest economies. We see Nigeria as emblematic of India’s relationship with Africa,” he added.

Beyond diplomatic engagements, India is also using the summit to deepen commercial and cultural ties with African countries.

Singh revealed that business forums, cultural festivals, music and dance events, as well as Track Two diplomatic engagements involving academics and private sector players, would form part of the summit activities.

“One of the major components is economic dialogue. We have invited Nigerian businessmen, industrialists and chambers of commerce to participate and redefine how we engage economically,” he said.

India said bilateral trade between Nigeria and India currently stands at between eight and nine billion dollars annually, although both countries believe there is substantial room for expansion.

According to the envoy, discussions are ongoing on improving market access, reducing trade bottlenecks and unlocking new investment opportunities in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, digital infrastructure and education.

Singh also highlighted India’s growing interest in Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industries, particularly the rising global influence of Afrobeats music.

“The Afrobeats are becoming increasingly popular in India and names like Wizkid and Davido are not just famous in Nigeria but globally recognised and increasingly popular in India,” he said.

He further stressed India’s readiness to expand collaboration with Nigeria in information and communications technology, noting that India’s global strength in ICT and digital innovation presents major opportunities for partnership with African economies.

Analysts say the renewed India-Africa engagement reflects New Delhi’s broader geopolitical strategy to strengthen economic alliances, secure new markets and deepen influence in Africa amid intensifying competition from China, the United States, Europe and Gulf countries for strategic partnerships across the continent.

For Nigeria, the summit is expected to open fresh opportunities for trade expansion, investment inflows, educational cooperation, technology transfer and cultural exchange at a time the country is seeking stronger international economic partnerships to support growth and diversification.

India Moves to Reset Africa Relations After 10-Year Gap, Targets Deeper Nigeria Partnership