The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday filed multiple charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against nine suspects allegedly linked to the recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, and parts of Plateau State.

The attacks left more than 40 people dead, scores injured, and hundreds displaced, prompting a visit by President Bola Tinubu, who urged the people of Benue to embrace peace while directing security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects were arrested across ethnic and religious lines. The DSS alleged that Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, both of Awe LGA, Nasarawa State, alongside others still at large, carried out attacks on Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025.

Their actions, it said, contravene Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

The duo were further accused of conspiring with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, Pyeure Damina, and others to prepare and commit terrorism—an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Act.

In a separate charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, two suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue State, were arraigned for allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks.

They were accused of participating in meetings that led to acts of terrorism, including the destruction of property and loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village.

They also allegedly conspired in July 2025 to carry out further terror acts and received material support in the form of firearms from one Alhaji Uba.

The DSS also charged a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar, of Faskari LGA, Katsina State, with four counts of terrorism. She was accused of transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits in July 2025 and concealing information about a suspected gunrunner and kidnapper, Alhaji Sani.

Similarly, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another, Timnan Manjo, were charged with four counts of illegally buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles for N3 million and purchasing revolvers for resale to bandits.

Another suspect, Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, faces a five-count charge of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols.

In addition, the DSS slammed six counts against Silas Iduh Oloche of Benue State for unlawful possession of 18 grenades and 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, offences said to contravene the Firearms Act, 2024.

The charges were filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Abubakar.

No trial date has yet been fixed.