A prosecution witness in the trial of nine defendants over the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has alleged that the invasion was orchestrated and funded by certain Fulani chiefs.
The witness, Moses Paul, head of a team in the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, gave evidence while being examined by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo. He testified that more than 200 heavily armed men, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles, carried out the attack on instructions from aggrieved Fulani chiefs.
Paul said the chiefs allegedly held meetings, raised funds, and recruited armed men to execute the operation. He explained that he received news of the attack while in Apa, Benue State, and was deployed immediately to investigate. Upon arrival in Yelwata, his team launched an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects in Kadarko, Ageregu, and other parts of Nasarawa State.
The witness stated that Haruna Abdullahi was the first to be apprehended in Ageregu. During questioning, Abdullahi allegedly admitted attending meetings with Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa, including at the residence of Ardo Lawal, where they discussed what they described as unfair treatment of Fulani people, including killings of cattle and community members. Abdullahi reportedly confessed that the chiefs contributed money and mobilized armed men for the attack.
Paul added that the assailants initially planned to target Daudu community but redirected to Yelwata after encountering resistance. The assault resulted in the deaths of over 200 people and destruction of properties worth millions of Naira.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Court dismissed an application by the first defendant’s counsel seeking to challenge jurisdiction and request bail, noting that the defendant had suffered a stroke while in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to February 27 for the continuation of hearing.
