Nine men accused of orchestrating the deadly Yelwata Community attack in Benue State in June 2025 have been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Monday. The incident left approximately 150 people dead and destroyed numerous homes.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made the order as the defendants await hearings on their bail applications. She adjourned the case for trial on February 26 and 27.
The suspects, arraigned on a 57-count amended charge of terrorism offences, pleaded not guilty to all counts. Following the plea, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, requested that a trial date be set so that the prosecution could present its evidence.
“I want to say in line with Section 273 of ACJA, following the plea of the defendants that they are not guilty, it means they have invoked the jurisdiction of your lordship for trial,” Fagbemi told the court. He added that the prosecution would call about eight witnesses to testify.
During proceedings, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, representing three of the defendants, sought to make an oral bail application despite having previously filed for bail. Justice Abdulmalik denied the request, insisting that a formal bail application be submitted.
The suspects, including Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin, were arrested through coordinated efforts by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS).
Earlier, the court approved the AGF’s request to strike out the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamah, from the amended charge. The AGF also substituted the initial September 2025 charge with the January 2026 amended charge, which lists the 57 counts against the nine defendants.
Count one of the charge accuses the defendants of meeting and planning acts of terrorism between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State, culminating in the Yelwata attack. Count 25 specifically alleges that Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono instructed other community leaders and youths across several states to carry out the June 13 attack, which resulted in the death of about 150 people. All offences are said to violate the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The court’s decision underscores the government’s commitment to pursuing justice for one of the deadliest attacks in recent Nigerian history.
