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A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from 13 mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as part of ongoing investigations into the deadly attack that occurred on June 13, 2025.
The exhumation exercise, which began on February 23, 2026, was conducted under tight security provided by the Benue State Police Command and in collaboration with operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from Abuja. The team, led by Saad Ahmed from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), worked alongside officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the operation commenced with the recovery of seven corpses on February 24 for forensic inquest. The exercise continued on February 25 and 26, leading to the total recovery of 105 remains from the mass graves scattered in and around Yelwata.
The exhumation is aimed at facilitating forensic inquiries, strengthening evidence for the prosecution of suspects linked to the killings, and providing closure to families of victims. The June 13 attack left dozens dead, many injured, and thousands displaced, with nine suspects currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 57-count charge bordering on terrorism.
Zagazola reported that the federal investigators, supported by SEMA and local authorities, identified grave locations on the first day before commencing the painstaking recovery process. The exercise concluded on February 26, with further developments expected to be communicated as forensic analysis progresses.
The mass graves discovery has renewed attention on the scale of violence in Benue’s Guma axis and the broader security challenges in the North Central region. Authorities have not yet released details on victim identification or the next steps in the forensic process, but the exhumation marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Yelwata massacre.
