A prosecution witness in the trial of nine suspects over the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has told the Court that about 200 armed men carried out the deadly assault.
The witness, Moses Paul, a team leader with the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, gave his testimony while being led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo.
Paul informed the court that the gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, allegedly executed the operation at the instance of some Fulani chiefs.
According to him, the chiefs were said to have convened meetings and raised funds to sponsor the attack.
He testified that he was in Apa, Benue State, when he received a distress call on the day of the incident and was immediately assigned to investigate.
Upon arrival in Yelwata, he said his team commenced investigations which later led to the arrest of the suspects in Kadarko, Ageregu, and parts of Nasarawa State.
The witness stated that the first defendant, Haruna Abdullahi, was arrested in Ageregu, Nasarawa State. During interrogation, Abdullahi allegedly confessed to attending meetings with Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa, beginning at the residence of one Ardo Lawal.
According to Paul, the meetings were held to deliberate on what was described as alleged unfair treatment of Fulani people in Nasarawa and Benue States, including the killing of their cattle and some of their kinsmen.
He further told the court that Abdullahi allegedly admitted that funds were mobilised and armed men recruited to carry out the attack.
The initial target, he said, was Daudu community, but after meeting resistance there, the attackers reportedly redirected their operation to Yelwata.
Paul stated that more than 200 persons were killed in the assault, with properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Court dismissed an application by counsel to the first defendant seeking to challenge its jurisdiction and apply for bail.
The defence had informed the Court that the first defendant suffered a stroke while in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to February 27 for continuation of trial.
