Nigerian prosecutors have filed terrorism-related charges against nine individuals in connection with one of the deadliest attacks recorded in recent years in Benue State, as authorities move to secure accountability for the June 2025 massacre that devastated the Yelwata community.
Court documents indicate that the charges stem from a violent attack carried out on 13 June 2025, when heavily armed assailants stormed Yelwata, a rural settlement in Nigeria’s central Benue State. The attack left about 150 people dead and many others injured, according to official figures cited by investigators.
Residents told authorities that the attackers arrived in large numbers and launched a coordinated assault on the community, setting houses on fire and killing civilians who were attempting to flee or seek shelter. The scale of the violence forced many survivors to flee the area, adding to the long-running humanitarian crisis affecting parts of Benue State.
On Monday, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja confirmed that prosecutors had filed a total of 57 terrorism-related counts against nine suspects believed to be directly linked to the massacre. The charges were brought under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws, reflecting what prosecutors described as the organised and premeditated nature of the attack.
According to court filings, the suspects are alleged to have planned and coordinated the assault over several months. Prosecutors told the court that the accused held multiple meetings in advance of the attack, during which they discussed targets, raised funds, and recruited armed men to carry out the operation.
The prosecution named Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono as the alleged leader of the group. He is accused of coordinating planning meetings and overseeing the mobilisation of resources needed for the attack. The remaining eight defendants are said to have played various roles, including fundraising, recruitment, logistics, and operational support.
Investigators further alleged that the suspects solicited financial contributions from community leaders in neighbouring Nasarawa State. According to the prosecution, these funds were used to procure weapons, transportation, and other logistical support required to carry out the attack in Yelwata. Nasarawa State is also believed to be one of the locations where planning meetings were held.
The filing of terrorism charges marks a significant escalation in the government’s response to mass killings in central Nigeria, where violence linked to armed groups, communal tensions, and criminal networks has persisted for years. In recent times, public pressure has mounted on authorities to move beyond condemnations and ensure that those responsible for large-scale attacks are brought before the courts.
Benue State has repeatedly been affected by violent attacks on rural communities, often resulting in mass casualties and displacement. Local leaders and civil society groups have long called for stronger security measures and more decisive legal action against perpetrators, arguing that a lack of accountability has encouraged repeat attacks.
The June 2025 Yelwata massacre drew national and international attention because of its scale and the apparent level of coordination involved. Humanitarian organisations reported that entire families were wiped out, while survivors were left without homes, food, or access to basic services. Temporary shelters were established in nearby areas to accommodate displaced residents.
In the aftermath of the attack, federal authorities pledged a full investigation and vowed to pursue those responsible. Security agencies said intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the suspects now facing trial, although details of the arrests were not made public.
Legal experts note that terrorism charges carry severe penalties under Nigerian law, including lengthy prison sentences if the defendants are convicted. Prosecutors are expected to argue that the planning, funding, and execution of the Yelwata attack meet the legal threshold for terrorism, given the intent to intimidate and cause widespread harm to civilians.
The defence has yet to present its case, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The court is expected to set dates for arraignment and further proceedings in the coming weeks.
The case comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multiple security challenges across different regions. While insurgency remains a concern in the northeast, central Nigeria has seen recurring outbreaks of mass violence that have claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.
Analysts say the outcome of the Benue case could set an important precedent for how mass killings are prosecuted in the country. A successful prosecution, they argue, could send a strong message that those who organise and finance large-scale attacks will face the full weight of the law.
For residents of Yelwata, the court proceedings represent a step toward justice, even as the community continues to recover from the trauma of the attack. Many survivors have called for sustained support, reconstruction of destroyed homes, and long-term security guarantees to prevent future violence.
As the trial process begins, attention will remain focused on whether the legal system can deliver justice in a case that has come to symbolise the human cost of Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.
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