YELWATA MASSACRE: JUSTICE TAKES CENTER STAGE AS 9 SUSPECTS ARRAIGNED
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Federal Government has arraigned nine suspects involved in the deadly Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where approximately 150-200 people were killed in June 2025. Here are the key developments:
– Charges : The suspects face 57 counts of terrorism-related charges, including planning and executing the attack, which resulted in the burning of houses, grievous bodily harm, and loss of lives.
– Suspects : The nine defendants are Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin.
– Court Proceedings : The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, led the prosecution team, and the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
– Government’s Stance: The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assures Nigerians that justice will be served, emphasizing commitment to protecting lives and properties.
The case has been adjourned to February 26 and 27, 2026, for trial commencement .
Recall also that the Yelwata massacre was discussed during a hearing at the United States Congress over the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
A survivor of the Yelwata attack, Msurshima Apeh, told the United States Congress, how she watched the killing of her five children during the onslaught.
“In the course of this action, I saw a tree when I lifted my eyes. I raised my hands on the tree and climbed up where I was able to hide myself. My five children that I left below were crying, and in my presence, they were being slaughtered by the terrorists,” she told the House Subcommittee on Africa, which examined U.S President Donald Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list in November 2026.
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