Amanze Chinonye
The Department of State Services (DSS) has intensified efforts in prosecuting terror-related cases across the country, with multiple high-profile trials currently underway before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), one of the key suspects, Mamuda, received terrorist training in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. He was said to have specialised in weapons handling and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication.
Mamuda’s associates, Usman and Abba, are facing a 32-count terrorism charge. Usman, who pleaded guilty to one of the counts relating to illegal mining, has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains on trial.
Also before the court is Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations (UN) Complex in Abuja, which claimed 20 lives and left more than 70 others injured.
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Al-Barnawi, captured in 2016, is being tried alongside four co-defendants – Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (also known as Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi).
The trial has suffered several delays due to procedural setbacks, including the absence of legal counsel for the accused. However, following a request by the DSS, Justice Emeka Nwite has ordered an accelerated hearing of the case. During a trial-within-trial session held on October 23 and 24, videos of the defendants’ confessional statements were played in court.
In another major case, five men – Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar – are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The assault left more than 40 worshippers dead and over 100 injured.
The defendants, arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025), are accused of belonging to the Al Shabab terrorist group with operational links in Kogi State. They pleaded not guilty to all charges. Justice Nwite later denied their bail request, citing the gravity of the offences and the strength of the evidence presented by prosecutors.
Similarly, the DSS is prosecuting suspects connected to the Yelwata massacre in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where dozens were killed and 107 others injured during attacks on June 13, 2025.
The incident drew national outrage, prompting President Tinubu’s condolence visit and a directive for the arrest of the perpetrators.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had earlier announced the arrest of 26 suspects linked to the killings. The DSS subsequently filed terrorism charges against nine of them in August 2025, while two others – Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi from Nasarawa State – remain at large.
The suspects – Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina – are facing trial for terrorism and related offences. Two others, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, are separately charged with carrying out reprisal attacks linked to the Yelwata killings.
Speaking on the ongoing prosecutions, DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi said the agency’s actions demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to holding perpetrators of terror accountable.
“The various arrests and trials of terrorism suspects show that Nigeria’s security agencies have been diligent in dealing with those who disrupt the peace.
The men we are prosecuting are separate from hundreds of suspects under military custody, whose cases are being handled by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. In July last year, 125 terrorists were convicted,” Ajayi stated.
He reaffirmed the DSS’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims and maintaining peace across the country.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
