How Suspects Mobilised Funds, Arms For Yelwata Attack – Federal Gov’t

The federal government has explained how the June 13, 2025 attack in Yelwata, Benue state was planned and carried out.

According to the federal government, the attack was planned in Nasarawa, Kwara, Taraba and other surrounding states before it was carried out.

In the charge sheet before the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, the attackers were said to have solicited funds from kinsmen to carry out the attack.

According to the charge, signed by D. E. Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice, one of the accused persons, Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State rendered material support for the commission of an act of terrorism by soliciting contributions in cash from other ARDOs (Chiefs) and their kinsmen for the purpose of facilitating the attack on Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government of Benue State.

The charge further stated that the same Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono offered to provide weapons for persons for the benefit of terrorism particularly for use in the attack on Yelwata Community.

The charge said the attack which was subsequently carried out on the 13th June, 2025, resulted in the burning of houses, causing grievous bodily harm, and the death of approximately 150 persons in Yelwata.

Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, remanded the accused persons in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the commencement of their trial.

The 10 suspects were said to have been involved in the killings of 150 persons on June 13, 2025 in Yelwata, Benue state.

The court ordered their remand in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, which the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, personally led the prosecution on behalf of the federal government.

The AGF appeared in court alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and three other counsel.

At the sitting, the Attorney-General informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 57-count amended charge against 10 defendants.

He applied for the name of the 6th defendant, Yakubu Maman, to be struck out of the charge and further requested the withdrawal of the earlier charge, leaving only the amended charge for the court’s consideration.

Counsel to the defendants raised no objection to the prosecution’s application.

In a brief ruling, Justice Abdul-Malik struck out the earlier charge and ordered that the name of the 6th defendant be removed from the case, as requested by the prosecution.

Following the ruling, the Attorney-General applied for the pleas of the remaining defendants to be taken. When the amended charge was read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The trial judge thereafter adjourned the matter to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of full trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case.

Legal representation at the proceedings included Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, who appeared for the 1st, 8th and 9th defendants, while Adamu Abdullahi represented the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th defendants.

The case is expected to proceed to full trial on the adjourned dates, as the federal government continues its prosecution of the defendants over the Benue killings.

Parts of the charge stated that Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono between May and June 2025, in Nasarawa State and within the jurisdiction of the Court, knowingly provided material support for an act of terrorism by soliciting cash contributions from fellow ARDOs (chiefs) and his kinsmen to facilitate an attack on Yelwata Community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack was carried out on 13 June 2025, resulting in the burning of houses, the infliction of grievous bodily harm, and the death of about 150 persons. He thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under the same Act.

Another charge accused the same Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono of  having knowingly offered  to supply weapons for terrorist purposes, specifically for use in the attack on Yelwata Community,  thereby committing  an offence contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under the same Act.

Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono was also charged with having knowingly solicited and collected funds from individuals, including ARDOs and his kinsmen, for the purpose of committing an act of terrorism against Yelwata Community  which was executed on 13 June 2025, which resulted in the burning of houses, grievous bodily harm, and the death of approximately 150 persons, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under the same Act.