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The Federal Government has confirmed that suspects arrested in connection with the June 2025 Yelewata massacre in Benue State will be arraigned on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The announcement came from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, which stated that the defendants would appear before Trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following an extensive investigation carried out in collaboration with various government and security agencies.
The Yelewata attack, which took place in the Guma Local Government Area, began late on June 13, 2025, and continued into the early hours of June 14. Armed herdsmen reportedly targeted homes, a local market, and a Catholic mission, setting houses on fire, mutilating victims, and exchanging gunfire with security personnel who responded to the scene.
Reports at the time indicated that more than 100 people lost their lives in the violence, while around 3,000 residents were displaced from their communities.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had strongly condemned the killings shortly after they occurred and directed relevant security agencies to track down and apprehend those responsible so they could face prosecution.
In its latest statement, the Office of the Attorney General emphasized that the forthcoming trial is intended to deliver justice, reassure Nigerians, and send a clear and strong message to perpetrators of violence acting under any pretext. The statement underscored the Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of all citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
The planned arraignment represents a key development in the government’s response to one of the deadliest incidents of communal violence in Benue State in recent memory. It follows widespread public outcry, including protests in the state where residents carried banners reading “Stop Benue Killings” and appealed for humanitarian aid for those left homeless and displaced in IDP camps.
The Federal Government reiterated that ensuring accountability in this case remains a priority, with the trial expected to demonstrate decisive action against those behind the atrocities in Yelewata.
