By Muhammad Tanko Shittu —
Relatives and business associates of four out of the five suspects arrested by the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, over the March 28 killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, have denied the allegations, insisting the accused are innocent traders with no links to the attack.
The families named the suspects as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, and Adamu Isa Alhassan, describing them as long-standing members of the local market community who earn their livelihoods through legitimate business activities.
Their reaction follows reports published on Wednesday by several national newspapers alleging the suspects’ involvement in the killings—claims that prompted the Plateau State Government to initiate legal proceedings against them.
In a statement, the state government disclosed that the SSS arrested the suspects between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and charged them with offences including criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism.
According to the charge sheet filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, the accused persons allegedly acted “contrary to Section 269 and punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017.”
However, speaking at a press conference in Jos on Wednesday, the relatives rejected the allegations, maintaining that none of the suspects was arrested with weapons or linked to any incriminating evidence.
Mika’ilu Muhammad, a relative of Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, described the arrest as an attempt to damage his brother’s reputation.
“My brother is a member of a religious aid group known for his kindness and compassion. He sells cabbage daily at Farin Gada market, and his business partners can testify to his character,” he said.
He added that DSS operatives searched Ibrahim’s residence thoroughly but found nothing before taking him into custody.
“We were shocked when the Plateau State Government later listed him among suspects in the Angwan Rukuba attack. That allegation is completely false,” he said.
Similarly, Abubakar Umar Ibrahim, younger brother of Adamu Isa Alhassan, said his sibling was arrested at the vegetable market where he supplies produce across the country.
“The DSS picked him up as he was leaving the market. They said they were investigating him, but we were surprised to later see his name among those accused of participating in the attack,” he said.
He further alleged that security operatives searched his brother’s home and damaged property without finding any weapon or evidence linking him to the incident.
“He is a businessman and cattle rearer. He has no connection whatsoever to the attack,” he added.
Jamilu Musa, a relative of Auwalu Abubakar, also dismissed the allegations, stating that operatives searched the suspect’s residence in his presence and recovered nothing.
“We were not even allowed to see him after his arrest. It was shocking to later see his name published as a suspect,” he said.
Also lending support, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabbage Section at Farin Gada Market confirmed that the suspects are known within the market as peaceful traders.
“These individuals are our members and have been business partners for years. Their arrest came as a shock because we interacted with them daily and never saw any sign of violence,” he said.
He further recalled that one of the suspects, Ibrahim Musa Abubakar, helped prevent violence in the area after the curfew was relaxed following the Angwan Rukuba attack.
“He assisted in rescuing eight Christian women and handed them over to soldiers stationed near the market. They are peace-loving people, and we do not understand why they are being accused of such a serious crime,” he added.
The families have called on the Director-General of the SSS and other relevant authorities to ensure a fair investigation and justice for the accused persons.
