Yelwata: ‎Court remands nine suspects over Benue massacre that claimed 150 lives

Abuja, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, February 2, 2026, ordered the remand of nine men accused of taking part in the June 13, 2025 brutal attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, in which about 150 people were killed.
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‎Justice Joyce Abdulmalik directed that the suspects be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre ahead of trial, following their arraignment on a 57‑count amended terrorism charge brought by the Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
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‎All nine defendants — including Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin — pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them with the aid of an interpreter.
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‎Another suspect, Yakubu Mamman, was initially listed in the amended indictment but had his charges withdrawn on the prosecution’s motion, and his name was struck out by the court.
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‎Prosecution counsel informed the court that investigations and inter‑agency collaboration linked the suspects to planning and executing the deadly assault. According to the indictment, meetings were held in Nasarawa State between May and June 2025 to organise the attack on the Yelwata community, an assault which saw the burning of homes, grievous injuries and the mass deaths of civilians.
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‎Defense lawyers made an oral bail application, but Justice Abdulmalik directed them to file formal applications. The judge adjourned the matter to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the start of the trial.
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‎The Benue attack remains one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years, raising national concerns about security in rural communities and ongoing efforts by authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.
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