By Admin
The trial of nine men accused of involvement in the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata Community in Benue State continued at the Federal High Court, with the prosecution outlining how the suspects were arrested.
Testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the first prosecution witness, CSP Moses Paul of the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, said security operatives acted on intelligence gathered shortly after the incident to track down the accused in parts of neighbouring Nasarawa State.
According to the witness, the attackers, allegedly numbering over 100 and armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed Yelwata after an earlier attempt on Dawudu village was repelled.
He told the court that the assault resulted in the deaths of more than 150 residents, with many others injured and property destroyed.
Paul said he was deployed from Apa in Benue State to Yelwata on June 14, where investigators spent weeks gathering information.
Arrests were subsequently made in border communities including Kadalko and Ageregu, as well as in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness told the court that the suspects were apprehended based on human intelligence linking them to meetings allegedly held prior to the attack.
He stated that one of the defendants allegedly admitted attending meetings where grievances over alleged killings of cattle and family members were discussed.
According to the testimony, funds were reportedly raised at a second meeting to execute the attack.
The court heard that investigators corroborated details of the meetings through statements obtained from other suspects.
However, the witness noted that investigations are ongoing and further arrests may follow.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned proceedings until Friday for continuation of trial, as the court considers evidence in the high-profile case.
