Nine Suspects Plead Not Guilty to 57-Count Charge in Yelwata Killings Trial

Nine suspects, including Ado Lawal, Moham Dunu, and Alhaji Haruna, have pleaded not guilty to a 57-count charge in connection with the Yelwata killings in Benue State. The suspects are accused by the Federal Government of conspiring to attack the community, resulting in the deaths of around 150 people.

The prosecution alleges that the suspects solicited funds and recruited attackers from Nasarawa State to carry out the deadly assault in Kwara, Taraba, and Nasarawa states. The attack, which occurred in June 2025, also led to the murder of 100 innocent people, including internally displaced persons.

The suspects are facing charges under various sections of the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022. The court proceedings involved a translation of the charges from the local language to English.