By Micah Jonah, March 10, 2026
A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted an AK-47 rifle, several naira notes as exhibits in the trial of nine men accused of the June 13, 2025, Yelwata village massacre in Guma LGA, Benue State.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik accepted the rifle as Exhibit A and the accompanying cash as Exhibits C1 to C5, along with a ballistic report confirming the weapon’s use as Exhibit B.
Senior police officer, Moses Paul testified that the attack was allegedly orchestrated by the defendants following disputes over Benue State’s anti-grazing law. He said suspects planned the assault in meetings held across Nasarawa and Benue States, raising funds and mobilizing armed assailants.
Defendants pleaded not guilty. Some defence lawyers objected to the ballistic report and statements obtained during the investigation, claiming irregularities and coercion. The court has ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of those statements, adjourning proceedings to March 13.
The Yelwata attack left over 100 residents dead, with widespread destruction of homes and displacement of more than 3,000 people.
