FG ARRAIGNS NINE OVER YELWATA ATTACK, FILES 57 TERRORISM – RELATED CHARGES

The Federal Government has arraigned nine suspects on terrorism-related charges in connection with the June 2025 attack on Yelwata community in Benue State, which claimed the lives of at least 150 people.

According to an amended charge sheet filed before the court, the defendants including Lawal Mohammed Dono, Muhammadu Saidu and Haruna Abdullahi, among others are facing 57 counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The charges include conspiracy, recruitment, procurement of weapons, and aiding and abetting acts of terrorism.

Prosecutors allege that the defendants coordinated and financed the attack on Yelwata, during which homes were also destroyed.Some of the accused are additionally charged under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession of prohibited weapons.

The prosecution further alleges that the defendants instigated and instructed Fulani youths from parts of Nasarawa, Kwara and Taraba states, as well as Giza and surrounding communities, to carry out the assault.

They are also accused of procuring the services of armed men from these areas to participate in the attack on Yelwata community.

All nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the name of the sixth defendant from the original charge sheet, which initially listed 10 defendants.

This followed an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who is personally prosecuting the case.