Yelwata killings: 9 suspects remanded in Kuje

A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded nine suspects linked to the attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State in Kuje custodial centre.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Monday remanded the defendants in custody after their plea-taking.

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice arraigned nine suspects: Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Yakubu Mammah (at large, struck out), Abubukar Adamu, Shuaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin, over the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata.

In the 57-count charge read to them in court and translated from English to Hausa, the federal government alleged that the suspects, between May and June 2025, conspired to attack the community, resulting in the burning of houses, causing grievous bodily harm and death of approximately 150 persons.

The federal government also accused the suspects of soliciting funds from Ardos (chiefs) in Nasarawa State, and recruited attackers from Kwara, Taraba and Nasarawa states to carry out the deadly attacks.

Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono was alleged to have recruited persons from Kwara and Taraba states, Giza and surrounding villages in Nasarawa State, collected funds from individuals (Ardos and kinsmen) “for the commission of an act of terrorism on the Yelwata community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.”

The attack was subsequently carried out on the 13th day of June 2025 and resulted in the burning of houses, grievous bodily harm, and the death of approximately 150 persons.

According to the prosecution, the allegations breach sections 12, 20, 26 and 28 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) pleaded with the court to strike out the name of the 6th defendant, Yakubu Mammah, since he remained at large.

Similarly, Fagbemi requested the court to replace the initial charge dated September 10, 2025, which had eight defendants, with the new charge with 10 defendants, later reduced to nine.

Defence lawyers: Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), A.I. Kaura Esq and Adamu Abdullahi Esq did not oppose the applications.

Consequently, Justice Abdulmalik struck out the name of Mammah from the charge and replaced the initial charge with the latest.

She directed the defendants to file their bail applications formally before the court.

The case was adjourned to February 26 and 27 for hearing.

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