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The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine individuals identified as prime suspects in connection with the recent wave of killings that ravaged communities in Benue and Plateau States.

The suspects were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. According to the charges, they face offences ranging from terrorism, reprisal attacks, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal arms trading to the concealment of information about gunrunning activities.

The DSS also revealed that a suspected gunrunner was arrested with seven M16 rifles, while another suspect was caught with 18 firearms, including grenades, allegedly without a licence. In addition, some of the accused are said to have engaged in the unlawful sale of locally fabricated AK-47 rifles valued at ₦3 million.

RISING VIOLENCE

The arraignments come amid escalating violence in Plateau and Benue, where repeated attacks by armed groups have left hundreds dead and forced thousands of residents to flee.

On June 13, gunmen launched coordinated assaults on the Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA, Benue, killing more than 200 people, including displaced persons and farmers.

Following the massacre, President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to arrest the perpetrators during his visit to Benue. Days later, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that security operatives had apprehended 28 suspects linked to the attacks.