A prosecution witness in the trial of nine suspects over the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, has made shocking allegations in court. Moses Paul, a team leader with the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, testified that more than 200 armed men carrying AK-47 rifles carried out the assault, allegedly at the behest of some Fulani chiefs.
Paul told the court that the attackers were allegedly “commissioned and funded by disgruntled Fulani chiefs” who held meetings and pooled resources to execute the attack. He testified that the first defendant, Haruna Abdullahi, was arrested in Ageregu, Nasarawa State, and during interrogation, allegedly confessed to attending meetings of Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa. These meetings, convened at the residence of one Ardo Lawal, were ostensibly to address alleged unfair treatment of Fulani people, including the killing of their cattle and kinsmen.
According to the testimony, the chiefs mobilised funds and engaged armed men to carry out the attack. The initial target was reportedly Daudu community, but upon encountering resistance there, the assailants diverted to Yelwata, where more than 200 people were killed and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
The court declined a bail application for the first defendant, whose counsel informed the court he had suffered a stroke in custody. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to February 27 for continuation of trial.