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Four suspects remanded in DSS custody over March 2026 Plateau killings
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
A Plateau State High Court on Thursday remanded four suspects in Department of State Services custody in connection with the March 2026 killings in Angwa Rukuba Community, Jos North Local Government Area. The case was adjourned until April 30, 2026, for arraignment, which was delayed due to the absence of defense counsel. The incident on March 28, 2026, resulted in the deaths of over 30 people, including children, after suspected attackers invaded communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas. Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attacks, calling them attempts to destabilize the state and describing them as genocide. President Bola Tinubu also visited the state, met victims, and assured them that justice would be served. The four suspects, identified as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar also known as Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim also known as Yaroro, among others, are alleged to have conspired to carry out the attack. They were arrested by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and face charges including criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. The State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, filed the charges, stating the defendants conspired to plan, organize, facilitate, aid, and contribute money to the attack. The suspects requested an adjournment to secure legal representation, which the prosecution counsel and Solicitor General of Plateau State, Joel Tagven, did not object to, but requested the suspects remain in DSS custody. The presiding judge, Jus
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe International Air Transport Association IATA forecasts a significant decline in global airline profitability by 2026, attributing the downturn to war-related disruptions in the Middle East and increasing jet fuel prices. IATA's outlook, released on Sunday, projects a combined net profit of $23 billion for airlines in 2026, a nearly 50% reduction from the estimated $45 billion for 2025. This figure is also considerably lower than the earlier projection of $41 billion for 2026. Carriers in the Middle East are expected to incur losses due to weak demand and operational disruptions, while airlines in other regions, though remaining profitable, will see reduced levels. IATA Director-General Willie Walsh stated that the rapid 70% rise in jet fuel prices is severely impacting airline bottom lines. While some of the additional cost is being offset by price adjustments and efficiency improvements, it will not be enough to maintain previous profitability levels. The industry's net profit margin is expected to decrease to 2.0% in 2026 from 4.2% in 2025, and net profit per passenger is projected to fall to $4.50 from $9.10. Operating profit is also anticipated to drop to $48 billion in 2026 from $76.4 billion in 2025. The industry's return on invested capital is expected to decrease to 4.3% in 2026 from 6.6% in 2025, remaining below the estimated weighted average cost of capital of 8.5%, highlighting structural challenges within the global airline industry.
The Kano State Hisbah Board has finalized preparations for the medical screening of 3,000 prospective couples participating in the state's mass wedding program. Deputy Commander General Sheikh Mujahedeen Aminudeen announced that the screening will start on Monday, June 8, 2026, across 24 local government areas. The 1,500 female and 1,500 male participants will undergo mandatory health checks for HIV/AIDS, drug use, genotype, hepatitis B, and other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea. This initiative is a collaboration between the Hisbah Board, the Ministry of Health, and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS. Couples have been instructed to report to Hisbah offices in their respective local government areas for the screening, with failure to attend resulting in delisting from the program. Only those who pass the health screening will qualify for the mass wedding. The Kano State Government, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, reinstated the mass wedding program to address prostitution and other social vices, particularly among young women whose families cannot afford their marriages.
Must ReadFormer Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, praised the Nigerian military for the successful rescue of 360 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Borno State. The victims, who had been held captive since March, were freed on Saturday. This rescue operation occurred three months after suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base in Ngoshe on March 4. The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, confirmed the development. Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, also confirmed the release through a statement from his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya. Ndume commended the troops for their professionalism and patriotism despite operational challenges. He also expressed gratitude to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, and the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, as well as Governor Zulum, for their contributions. The lawmaker further praised the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, for providing relief materials and urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to support the rebuilding of Ngoshe. Ndume also called for intensified efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, and travelers kidnapped along the Biu-Buratai road, and condemned the killing of soldiers and repentant Boko Haram volunteers in Mandaragra village, Biu Local Government Area.