In a dramatic development in Abuja this week, the Federal High Court has been presented with chilling testimony alleging that prominent Fulani chiefs financed and directed one of the most brutal attacks in recent Nigerian history — the Yelwata massacre of June 13, 2025, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. At the heart of the case is testimony from a prosecution witness that more than 200 armed assailants, many wielding AK-47 rifles, stormed the peaceful rural community in a coordinated assault that left scores dead and homes destroyed.
A Nation Reels as Court Hears Grim Details
On February 26, 2026, Chief Superintendent of Police Moses Paul, a senior officer in the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, took the witness stand during the high-profile trial of nine suspects accused of participating in the deadly attack. Paul’s testimony — delivered before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik — has provided the first detailed account of how the massacre unfolded and who may have been behind it.
According to Paul, the victims were not caught in a spontaneous clash but rather targeted in a well-orchestrated assault by a large group of heavily armed men. The witness testified that the assailants were allegedly mobilised, funded, and directed by a cabal of disgruntled Fulani chiefs, who had convened meetings to plan the carnage.
The massacre itself has been widely reported as one of the most horrific episodes of communal violence in Nigeria in recent years. While estimates vary, testimonies in court and news reports indicate that over 200 people were killed, and property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the attack on Yelwata — a community that had become a refuge for displaced villagers from surrounding areas.
Nine Suspects on Trial, 57 Counts of Terrorism
The nine defendants currently on trial were arraigned by the Federal Government and have pleaded not guilty to a comprehensive 57-count charge under various sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charges include allegations of planning, financing, and executing acts of terrorism aimed at destabilising communities in Benue State.
Those facing trial include:
Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono
Ardo Muhammadu Saidu
Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi
Yakubu Adamu
Musa Mohammed
Abubakar Adamu
Shaibu Ibrahim
Saleh Mohammed
Bako Jibrin
Defense lawyers are vigorously contesting the charges. One defence lawyer argued for bail on behalf of a defendant who reportedly suffered a stroke while in custody, but the court declined the application and remanded all nine suspects in Kuje Correctional Facility. The trial is ongoing, with further evidence expected to be presented in coming sessions.
Prosecution’s Narrative: Meetings, Funds, and Mobilisation
According to Paul’s testimony, investigations into the massacre began immediately after news of the attack reached law enforcement officers. Paul recalled being on assignment in Apa, Benue State, when he received a distress call about the incident. Upon arrival in Yelwata on June 14, 2025, his team launched investigations that led to the arrest of suspects in Kadarko, Ageregu, and parts of Nasarawa State.
During interrogation, the first arrested defendant — Haruna Abdullahi — allegedly admitted attending meetings of several Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa State. These gatherings, which reportedly took place at the residence of Ardo Lawal Dono, were said to have been convened to discuss grievances among Fulani herders, including perceived injustices and the alleged killing of their cattle and kin in Benue and neighbouring states.
At the conclusion of one such meeting, Dono — described in court as a senior Ardo leader — allegedly urged participants to take decisive action, initiating plans that would culminate in the Yelwata attack. Another meeting held at the home of Ardo Mohammed Saidu reportedly agreed on pooled financial contributions to fund the operation. Abdullahi told investigators he personally contributed ₦300,000, while others contributed additional sums to support the mobilisation.
Paul said the attackers initially planned to assault another village called Daudu but, after encountering significant resistance, changed course and directed their violence toward Yelwata, which became the main site of destruction and mass loss of life. He also highlighted that Yelwata had become a gathering centre for displaced persons, intensifying the impact of the attack on already vulnerable civilians.
Eyewitness Reports and Wider Impact of the June 2025 Massacre
Independent reports from human rights groups and international organisations initially described the June 2025 Yelwata massacre as a devastating event that claimed many lives, displaced hundreds, and ignited broader fears about ethnic and communal violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. According to statements from advocacy organisations like Amnesty International, at least 100 people were killed in the gun attack, with many more missing and injured.
Local and international media coverage also highlighted the wider context of insecurity in Benue State — a region long plagued by conflicts between herders and farmers, disputes over land, and recurrent attacks that have strained community relations and local economies.
Calls for Justice and National Response
The scale of the Yelwata tragedy prompted public and civil society condemnation, with groups such as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) warning that unchecked violence could escalate into broader ethnic conflict without urgent federal intervention. HURIWA described the massacre as a crime against humanity and urged the government to take decisive action to prevent further bloodshed.
In the wake of the attack, there were also public appeals for enhanced security and accountability. These included calls for improved policing, better intelligence operations, and proactive measures to address the root causes of communal violence, including issues related to land use, resource competition, and pastoralist-settler tensions.
Political and Security Implications
The Yelwata massacre and subsequent court proceedings also have significant political and security implications for Nigeria. The federal government’s decision to classify the case under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and pursue charges in a Federal High Court underscores the seriousness of the attack and the authorities’ intention to treat mass violence with the full force of anti-terror legislation.
Security analysts note that how the trial unfolds — including whether the court accepts evidence linking prominent individuals to the attack’s funding — could set a precedent for future prosecutions in similar cases involving communal and militia-related violence.
Conclusion: A Nation Watching Closely
As the trial continues, Nigerians and international observers are watching closely. The testimony of Moses Paul has brought startling allegations into the public domain — allegations that powerful local leaders may have financed and directed a massacre that has become synonymous with the ongoing security crisis in central Nigeria.
More hearings are scheduled in the weeks ahead, and prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence to support their case against the nine accused. What emerges from the courtroom may not only determine the fate of the defendants but also shape public discourse on accountability, justice, and the fight against communal violence in Nigeria.
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