By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday heard how over 100 armed men stormed Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on June 13, 2025, killing more than 150 residents and burning houses, as the Federal Government arraigned nine suspects on terrorism charges before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The court remanded the defendants after they pleaded not guilty to a 57-count charge bordering on terrorism.
FG Arraigns Nine Over Alleged Yelwata Massacre
Those facing trial include Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.
The Federal Government alleged that they held several meetings between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State. During the meetings, they allegedly planned attacks on Yelwata and other Benue communities.
Prosecutors said the assault took place on June 13, 2025.
The defendants had earlier been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after denying the charges. They allegedly violated provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned further hearing until Friday.
How the Attack Was Planned
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution presented its first witness, Moses Paul, a Chief Superintendent of Police with the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness described how the suspects allegedly mobilised funds and coordinated the attack.
Paul told the court that some disgruntled Fulani chiefs convened meetings in Nasarawa State. He said they raised funds to sponsor attacks on Benue communities, including Yelwata.
According to him, one of the meetings took place at the residence of the second defendant, Ardo Mohammed Saidu. Participants allegedly agreed to contribute money for the operation.
Abdullahi allegedly contributed N300,000, while another participant gave N200,000.
Confessions and Arrests
The witness said he was in Apa, Benue State, handling a kidnapping case when news of the attack broke on June 13, 2025.
“We received news of the attack and immediately moved to Yelwata,” he told the court.
Investigators began work on June 14. Security operatives later arrested the suspects in Kadarko, Ageregu and Lafia in Nasarawa State.
Paul testified that Abdullahi allegedly confessed to attending meetings with Fulani chiefs. The meetings reportedly addressed grievances over alleged killings of cattle and perceived injustices against herders in Benue and Nasarawa states.
Over 100 Gunmen Stormed Yelwata
The prosecution witness said the attackers first targeted Dawudu community. However, they diverted to Yelwata after facing resistance.
“The number of people that came for the attack in Yelwata were over 100 and they were wielding AK-47 rifles,” he said.
He added that more than 200 people were attacked in the community, which had sheltered displaced villagers.
The witness also stated that Saidu, also known as Ardo Kadalko, claimed he lost about 250 cows and two children in a nearby community.
Furthermore, he alleged that Dono, described as head of Ardos in Nasarawa State, urged participants at one meeting to carry out a revenge attack.
Investigation Ongoing
The witness said investigations remain ongoing and more arrests may follow.
Earlier, it was revealed that some victims had sought refuge in Yelwata before the attack. Many of them later became casualties.
The court adjourned the case for continuation of trial.
