Witness Testifies on Yelwata Massacre in Court

During a court session, a witness recounted the Yelwata massacre that occurred on June 13, 2025, in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, where over 200 armed men executed a deadly assault. Mose Paul, the team leader of the Nigerian Police Force's intelligence response team, testified under the direction of Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecution.

Paul informed the court that the gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, allegedly executed operations at the behest of a Fulani chief who convened a meeting to raise funds to sponsor the attack. The court heard that Haruna Abdullahi, one of the suspects arrested in Ageregu, Nasarawa State, confessed during interrogation to attending a meeting where grievances regarding the treatment of Fulani people in both Nasarawa and Benue states were discussed.

Abdullahi allegedly admitted to mobilizing funds and recruiting armed men for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of 200 individuals and the destruction of property worth millions of naira. The court dismissed a bail application from the defense, which claimed the first defendant suffered a stroke while in custody.

The case was adjourned to February 27 for further proceedings.