Nigerian Government To Arraign Suspects Over Benue Yelwata Massacre

The government said the arraignment follows a painstaking investigation carried out through close collaboration among relevant security and investigative agencies.

The Nigerian government has announced that some suspects arrested in connection with the deadly killings in Yelwata community, Benue State, will be arraigned on Monday, February 2, 2026.

This was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele.

Ogundele stated that the suspects, who are said to be strongly linked to the violent attacks and killings, will be brought before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik of the Federal High Court in Abuja to face charges relating to the killings.

The government said the arraignment follows a painstaking investigation carried out through close collaboration among relevant security and investigative agencies.

The Nigerian Government assured Nigerians that justice would be served in the matter.

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to assure Nigerians that justice will be ensured in this case in order to send a strong signal to the enemies of the country, acting under any disguise,” the statement read.

It further reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the protection of lives and property across the country, in line with constitutional provisions.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the protection of the lives and property of all Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution,” the statement added.

In mid-June 2025, suspected armed herdsmen launched coordinated attacks on the Yelwata community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The two-day assault, which occurred on June 13 and 14, left more than 200 people dead, scores injured, and thousands displaced.

Entire homesteads were torched, with survivors recounting scenes of mass killings and destruction.

The violence sparked outrage nationwide, prompting President Tinubu to visit Benue on June 20.

During his stop at Yelwata, he ordered service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to identify and arrest those responsible for the massacre.

A few days after the president’s directive, IGP Kayode Egbetokun announced the arrest of 26 suspected masterminds of the Yelwata killings.