A witness for the prosecution in the ongoing trial of nine defendants over the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has informed the Court that over 200 heavily armed men, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles, carried out the invasion, allegedly acting on the instructions of certain Fulani chiefs.
The witness, Moses Paul, who leads a team with the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, gave his evidence while being examined by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo.
In his testimony, Paul stated that the assailants were allegedly sponsored and mobilised by aggrieved Fulani chiefs who held a series of meetings and raised funds to execute the attack.
He told the Court that he was in Apa, Benue State, when news of the incident reached him through a distress call, prompting his deployment to investigate.
On arrival in Yelwata, he said his team launched an operation that eventually led to the arrest of the accused persons in Kadarko, Ageregu, and various parts of Nasarawa State.
According to the witness, Haruna Abdullahi was the first suspect apprehended. He was arrested in Ageregu, Nasarawa State.
Paul further testified that Abdullahi, during questioning, allegedly admitted attending meetings involving Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa, starting at the residence of one Ardo Lawal.
He explained that the meetings were convened to deliberate on what participants described as alleged unfair treatment of Fulani people in Nasarawa and Benue States, including the killing of their cattle and some of their kinsmen.
The witness said Abdullahi allegedly confessed that the chiefs contributed money and recruited armed men to launch the assault.
He added that the attackers initially planned to strike Daudu community but reportedly changed course to Yelwata after facing resistance.
The assault on Yelwata, he said, left more than 200 people dead and destroyed properties valued at millions of Naira.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Court rejected an application by counsel to the first defendant seeking to argue motions challenging the Court’s jurisdiction and requesting bail.
Defence counsel had informed the Court that the first defendant had suffered a stroke while in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until February 27 for continuation of hearing.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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