Court Admits AK-47 Evidence in Yelwata Massacre Trial

On February 2, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyc Abdulmalik, admitted an AK-47 rifle and naira notes as evidence in the trial concerning the Yelwata massacre that occurred on June 13, 2025. The trial involves nine suspects charged with 57 counts of terrorism, allegedly linked to an attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 150 individuals.

Key testimonies were provided by Mose Paul, a senior officer from the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Unit, who identified the firearm. The court heard that the defendants, including Ardo Lawal and Mohd Dono, contributed financially to the attack, with claims that Abdullahi Yakubu contributed N300,000 and Adamu Musa N200,000.

The trial has been adjourned to March 13, 2025, to determine the admissibility of statements made by the defendants during police investigations, amid accusations of intimidation and duress.