A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial over the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has told the court that some Fulani chiefs allegedly funded and organised the deadly assault.
The witness, Moses Paul, said more than 200 heavily armed men invaded the community, carrying AK-47 rifles and other weapons. He claimed the attackers acted on the instructions of certain Fulani chiefs who were said to be angry over issues affecting their people.
Paul gave his evidence before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik while being examined by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo.
The trial involves nine defendants who are standing trial in connection with the attack that left over 200 people dead and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
The June 13 attack on Yelwata is one of the deadliest incidents recorded in Benue State in recent years. Yelwata is a farming community in Guma Local Government Area, a region that has witnessed repeated clashes between farming communities and herders.
Benue, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has for many years faced violence linked to disputes over land, grazing routes, and cattle movement. These clashes have led to the loss of many lives and the displacement of thousands of residents.
The Yelwata attack, according to authorities, stood out because of the high number of casualties and the level of destruction.
In his testimony, Moses Paul, who leads a team with the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, told the court that he was in Apa, another part of Benue State, when he received a distress call about the attack.
He said he immediately moved to Yelwata with his team to begin investigation.
“On arrival, we carried out an operation which led to the arrest of suspects in Kadarko, Ageregu, and other parts of Nasarawa State,” he told the court.
According to him, the first suspect arrested was Haruna Abdullahi, who was apprehended in Ageregu, Nasarawa State.
Paul alleged that during interrogation, Abdullahi confessed to attending meetings organised by Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa State. He said the meetings reportedly began at the residence of one Ardo Lawal.
The witness claimed that the meetings were held to discuss what participants described as unfair treatment of Fulani people in Nasarawa and Benue states. These grievances, he said, included allegations of cattle being killed and some members of their community being attacked.
According to Paul, Abdullahi allegedly admitted that money was raised during the meetings and armed men were recruited for the attack.
He further told the court that the attackers originally planned to strike Daudu community but later changed their target to Yelwata after meeting resistance.
The attack, he said, resulted in the death of more than 200 people and the destruction of homes, shops, and other properties.
The witness explained that following intelligence gathering, members of the alleged group were arrested in different locations, including Kadarko and Ageregu in Nasarawa State.
Nasarawa shares a border with Benue State, and both states have experienced tension linked to farmer-herder disputes.
Security agencies have in recent years stepped up surveillance and joint operations in border communities to prevent attacks and track down suspects.
Paul said the investigation is still ongoing and that the police are working to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
Earlier in the court proceedings, counsel to the first defendant applied to argue motions challenging the court’s jurisdiction and also sought bail for his client.
However, the court rejected the application at that stage of the trial.
The defence counsel also informed the court that the first defendant had suffered a stroke while in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The claim raised concerns in court about the health condition of the accused.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik later adjourned the case until February 27 for continuation of hearing.
The violence in Benue State is part of a wider crisis affecting parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region. Disputes between farmers and herders have often turned violent, with communities accusing each other of attacks, cattle rustling, and destruction of farmland.
Over the years, both the Federal Government and state governments have introduced measures aimed at reducing the clashes. Benue State enacted an anti-open grazing law in 2017 to regulate cattle movement. However, tensions have continued in some areas.
Community leaders and civil society groups have repeatedly called for dialogue, better security presence, and prosecution of offenders to end the cycle of violence.
The Yelwata attack renewed calls for stronger action to protect rural communities.
Many residents of Guma Local Government Area are still struggling to recover from the June 13 incident. Families who lost loved ones continue to mourn, while others are trying to rebuild homes and businesses destroyed in the attack.
The state government has in the past promised support for affected communities, including relief materials and security reinforcement.
Human rights groups have also urged authorities to ensure that the trial is fair and transparent, and that justice is served based on evidence presented in court.
As the trial continues, attention remains focused on the courtroom, where the prosecution is laying out its case against the nine defendants.
The outcome of the case is expected to have a strong impact not only on the victims’ families but also on efforts to address the long-standing crisis in Benue and neighbouring states.
For now, the court will resume hearing on February 27, when further evidence is expected to be presented.
