…Suspect Led 100 Armed Men In Plateau Mass Killings-DSS
The Federal High Court in Abuja and a Plateau State High Court have in separate terrorism trials delivered fresh revelations and convictions in ongoing prosecutions against suspects linked to deadly attacks across Nigeria, including the 2014 Nyanya motor park bombing and coordinated assaults on communities in Plateau State.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice James Omotosho on Friday sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging for his role in the 2014 Nyanya motor park bombing, one of the deadliest terror attacks in the Federal Capital Territory.
The court also handed him multiple jail terms, including 35 years imprisonment on two counts and life imprisonment on another count, after he pleaded guilty to five terrorism charges filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The bombing at the busy Nyanya Motor Park, located on the Abuja–Nasarawa border, killed no fewer than 70 persons and left several others injured, according to court records.
Justice Omotosho, while delivering the judgment during a mass terrorism trial session, also imposed death sentences on two counts, citing the gravity of the offences under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
He further convicted other defendants in related cases, including Ali Mohammed, who bagged 25 years imprisonment on one count and 15 years on another; Isa Saleh, sentenced to 20 years; and Tujan Mohammed, also sentenced to 20 years.
Another defendant, Salisu Bala, received a 20-year jail term on one count but was discharged and acquitted on two other counts.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who led the prosecution team, reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” he said.
In a related development in Plateau State, a prosecution witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) told the State High Court in Jos that one of the defendants, Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, confessed to leading more than 100 armed men in coordinated attacks on communities in the state.
The witness said the suspect admitted in his statement to participating in multiple violent raids, including assaults on Vom and several villages in Riyom Local Government Area, where dozens of residents were killed.
The DSS operative further told the court that about N4 million suspected to be proceeds linked to terrorism financing was discovered in the defendant’s bank account during investigations.
Isa and four others are standing trial on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition in connection with the Angwa Rukuba killings, where about 30 persons were killed.
The defence counsel, Mustapha Shaba, however, urged the court to release certified true copies of the defendants’ statements for comparison with documents earlier supplied by the prosecution.
The trial judge adjourned the matter to July 3 for continuation of hearing and compliance with the request.
The twin proceedings underscore the continued wave of terrorism prosecutions across Nigeria, as courts intensify mass trials of suspects accused of involvement in coordinated attacks, killings, and financing of violent groups.
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