Fed Govt provides detailed plots of how funds, arms were mobilise before Yelwata attack

Fed Govt provides detailed plots of how funds, arms were mobilise before Yelwata attack

The Federal Government has provided details on how the deadly June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State was allegedly conceived, funded, and executed, revealing that the planning spanned multiple states.

Court documents filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja indicate that the operation was coordinated from Nasarawa, Kwara, Taraba and other neighbouring states before it was carried out in Benue.

The prosecution alleges that those behind the assault mobilised financial and material support through contributions solicited from associates and kinsmen.

According to the charge sheet signed by D. E. Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, one of the defendants, Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, allegedly played a central role in the plot.

The prosecution stated that 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 alleged that the same defendant offered to supply weapons to those involved, specifically for use in the Yelwata attack.

Prosecutors said the assault, which was carried out on June 13, 2025, led to widespread destruction, including the burning of homes, grievous bodily harm to residents, and the death of “approximately 150 persons.”

Following the arraignment, Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, ordered that the accused persons be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the commencement of their trial.

In all, 10 suspects are standing trial over their alleged involvement in the killings in Yelwata.

The case, marked suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, is being prosecuted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who personally led the federal government’s legal team.

The Attorney-General appeared alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and three other counsel.

At the hearing, he informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 57-count amended charge against the defendants.

He also applied for the withdrawal of the earlier charge and requested that the name of the 6th defendant, Yakubu Maman, be struck out.

Defence counsel raised no objection to the application. In a brief ruling, Justice Abdul-Malik struck out the initial charge and ordered that the name of the 6th defendant be removed, as requested.

After the ruling, the court took the pleas of the remaining defendants. When the amended charge was read, all of them pleaded not guilty to the counts preferred against them.

The trial judge subsequently adjourned proceedings to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of full trial, and ordered that the defendants remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case.

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

Details of the amended charge allege 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 prosecution stated that 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, an act said to be contrary to Section 13(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under the same law.

Another count accused Dono of “having knowingly offered to supply weapons for terrorist purposes, specifically for use in the attack on Yelwata Community,” an offence allegedly contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He 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,” resulting in destruction, grievous bodily harm, and the death of “approximately 150 persons,” contrary to Section 19 of the same Act.

The Federal Government is expected to press ahead with full prosecution when trial formally begins on the adjourned dates.