Family Denies DSS Arrest of Brother for Angwan Rukuba Killings

Family members and associates of four individuals arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the March 28 attack and fatalities in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, have publicly denied the allegations against them. These individuals, identified as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, and Adamu Isa Alhassan, are asserted by their relatives to be legitimate businessmen who regularly conduct trade in the local market, and not participants in the community violence.

The government had previously announced that the DSS apprehended these suspects between April 3 and April 10, 2026, levelling charges that included criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. The state's Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, filed charges stating that the defendants acted contrary to Section 269 and were punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017.

However, at a press briefing in Jos, the family representatives contested these claims, stating that their relatives had no involvement in the Angwan Rukuba incident. They emphasized that none of the arrested individuals were found with weapons or linked to any evidence supporting the accusations.

Mika’ilu Muhammad, a spokesperson for Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, suggested that the arrest aimed to damage his brother's reputation. He described his brother as a member of a religious aid group, known for his charitable nature, who operates a daily cabbage vending business in Jos's Farin Gada market, with numerous business partners who could vouch for his character.

Muhammad further recounted that DSS operatives searched Ibrahim’s residence thoroughly without finding any incriminating items. He stated that the family was informed he was being taken for questioning at DSS headquarters, expressing shock when the Plateau State Government subsequently issued a statement implicating him in the Angwan Rukuba attack.

Abubakar Umar Ibrahim, the younger brother of Adamu Isa Alhassan, also dismissed the charges as false. He explained that his brother, a supplier of cabbage to various parts of the country, was arrested at the building materials market's cabbage section. He added that the DSS apprehended him as he was leaving the market, and the family was surprised to learn of his alleged involvement in the attack.

Ibrahim also noted that the DSS searched his brother's home, causing property damage, but found no weapons or evidence linking him to the incident. He stressed that his brother, who is also involved in cattle rearing, is uninvolved in the attack and that the accusations are untrue.

Jamilu Musa, a relative of Auwalu Abubakar, echoed these denials, confirming that the DSS searched his house in his presence and found nothing. He expressed frustration at not being allowed to see his relative to ascertain the reason for the arrest, calling the government's public accusation as a suspect in the attack shocking.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabbage Section at Farin Gada Market corroborated the accounts, identifying the arrested individuals as long-standing members and business partners. He stated that their arrests and the accusations were surprising, given their peaceful demeanor in the market. He specifically recalled Ibrahim Musa Abubakar helping to prevent violence around Farin Gada after the Angwan Rukuba incident, even saving the lives of eight Christian women by handing them over to soldiers during the crisis, highlighting their peace-loving nature.

In light of these testimonies, the relatives are appealing to the Director General of the DSS and other relevant authorities to ensure justice for the accused.