200 armed assailants carried out Yelwata massacre – Witness allegies

A prosecution witness in the trial of nine suspects over the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has told the Court that about 200 heavily armed men were responsible for the deadly assault.

The witness, Moses Paul, a team leader with the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, gave his testimony while being led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo.

Paul informed the Court that the attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles, allegedly acted at the behest of some Fulani chiefs. According to him, the chiefs were said to have convened several meetings, mobilised funds, and engaged gunmen to execute the operation.

He testified that he was in Apa, Benue State, when he received a distress call about the incident and was immediately assigned to investigate.

Upon arriving in Yelwata, his team commenced inquiries which led to the arrest of the defendants in Kadarko, Ageregu, and parts of Nasarawa State.

The first defendant to be apprehended, the witness said, was Haruna Abdullahi, who was arrested in Ageregu, Nasarawa State.

During interrogation, Abdullahi allegedly admitted attending meetings involving Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa, beginning at the residence of one Ardo Lawal.

The meetings, Paul said, were convened to address what was described as alleged unfair treatment of Fulani people in Nasarawa and Benue States, including the killing of their cattle and some of their kinsmen.

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The witness further told the Court that Abdullahi allegedly confessed that funds were raised and armed men recruited to carry out the attack.

According to the testimony, the original target was Daudu community, but after reportedly facing resistance there, the attackers diverted to Yelwata.

The assault allegedly left more than 200 people dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

Earlier, the Court declined an application by counsel to the first defendant seeking to challenge its jurisdiction and request bail.

Defence counsel had informed the Court that the first defendant suffered a stroke while in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently adjourned the matter to February 27 for continuation of hearing.