Perhaps justice is on the way for victims and their relatives in the June, 2025 terrorist bloodfest in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, as the Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, September 3, arraigned nine suspects accused of complicity in the attack.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the attack left many persons dead, many others injured, and hundreds displaced.
The nine, named as defendants in six separate charges, took turns to enter their pleas before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Other allegations raised against them included unlawful possession and dealing in firearms, assisting in terrorist activities, among others.
The DSS counsel, Calistus Eze, informed the court that the separate charges were dated and filed on August 28, 2025.
In the three-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/449/2025 and filed against Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA of Nasarawa and others still at large, they were alleged to have, on June 13, carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages.
The offence, the DSS said, ran contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The two accused persons were said to have conspired with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, Pyeure Damina, and others still at large to carry out the attacks on Yelwata.
After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Nwite ordered that they be remanded in DSS’ custody and granted access to their lawyers.
On the charges involving Ashuwa, Alede, and Halima Umar, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until October 2 for trial.
The judge adjourned the charge involving Manjo and Tali until October 17 for review and trial.
He also fixed the trial of Antu and Oloche for October 17 for trial.
Also, the DSS, same day, filed a fresh five-count charge against Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna (aka Huzaifa Dogo) a suspected gunrunner, allegedly arrested with seven M16 assault rifles.
PHOTO CAPTION: Ruins of a building in Yelwata following the attack.
