A prosecution witness on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that some disgruntled Fulani chiefs sponsored over 200 armed men wielding AK-47 rifles to carry out the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack allegedly left more than 200 people dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed. The nine suspects accused of involvement in the deadly Yelwata attack pleaded not guilty on Monday, February 3, 2026, to 57 amended charges bordering on terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja. During interrogation, Abdullahi allegedly confessed to attending meetings involving Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa. The court adjourned the matter to February 27 for the continuation of the examination of the first prosecution witness.

Source: Punch February 27, 2026 04:31 UTC