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The Benue State Government has intensified efforts to deliver justice for victims of the deadly attack on the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, which occurred on June 13, 2025. On Monday, February 23, 2026, a team of forensic pathologists from the Federal Ministry of Justice arrived in the state to collect crucial evidence from the scene of the gruesome murders.
Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia welcomed the deployment of the forensic experts, describing it as a vital step toward uncovering the full truth behind the incident and ensuring accountability. The governor, represented by the Director General of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd), and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yangien Ornguga, assured the team of full cooperation from the state government during their one-week assignment in Yelwata.
This latest development follows the arraignment of nine suspects by the Federal Government on February 2, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. During the proceedings, the court stressed the critical importance of forensic evidence to guarantee a fair trial and secure convictions against those responsible for the attack.
Governor Alia reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders—including federal authorities—to establish the facts surrounding the Yelwata killings and bring the perpetrators to justice. He called on residents of the state to remain calm, maintain peace, and support ongoing security and judicial processes aimed at delivering justice for the affected families and community.
The press release, issued through Alia TV Network and signed by Chief Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, underscores the state’s proactive approach in addressing one of the most serious security incidents in recent memory in Benue. The involvement of federal forensic specialists is expected to strengthen the evidentiary foundation of the case currently before the courts, potentially accelerating the path to resolution and closure for victims’ families.
