Relatives and business associates of four of the five suspects arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) have rejected the allegations against them.
A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Thursday ordered the remand of the four suspects in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the killings that occurred on March 28, 2026, in Angwan Rukuba community, located in Jos North Local Government Area
Their families maintained that Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, and Adamu Isa Alhassan were not involved in the incident, insisting that they are traders who conduct their daily business activities in the market.
The denial followed reports on Wednesday linking the suspects to the killings, which subsequently led to the Plateau State Government filing charges against them.
While addressing journalists at a press briefing in Jos, the relatives stated that none of the suspects was apprehended with weapons or connected to any evidence supporting the accusations.
They called on the DSS Director-General and relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served.
Mika’ilu Muhammad, a relative of Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, said the arrest was an attempt to damage his brother’s reputation.
“My brother is a member of a religious aid group who has never committed any crime and is known for his kindness and compassion. He sells cabbage in Farin Gada, a vegetable market in Jos every day, and has business partners who can attest to that,” 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.
Also, 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 debunked 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.
However, 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.
