KEY POINTS

• A police witness told a court that over 100 armed attackers killed more than 150 people in Yelwata community.
• Investigators say suspects attended planning meetings and raised money to carry out the attack.
• Nine accused men are in custody, and the court has adjourned the case for further hearing.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has heard disturbing details of a deadly attack on Yelwata, a community in Benue State, where more than 150 people were killed.

A police witness told the court that over 100 armed attackers carrying AK-47 rifles stormed the village, shooting residents and burning houses during a planned assault.

The testimony came as nine men were brought before the court and remanded over their alleged roles in the attack. They pleaded not guilty to a 57-count charge related to terrorism.

Police Witness Explains How Attack Was Planned

The first prosecution witness, a senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force, told the court that investigations showed the suspects attended meetings in Nasarawa State between May and June 2025 where the attack was planned.

He said the meetings were allegedly organised by some Fulani chiefs who felt angry over claims that their cattle had been killed and that they were treated unfairly.

According to him, one suspect confessed that money was raised during those meetings to fund the attack. He reportedly said he contributed ₦300,000 while another participant gave ₦200,000.

The witness said the attackers first planned to strike another village but changed direction after meeting resistance and instead targeted Yelwata.

The officer told the court that more than 200 people were attacked in Yelwata, which had become a safe place for villagers fleeing violence in nearby areas. Many of those killed were people who had already escaped earlier attacks.

He added that he spent almost a month in the area gathering evidence and that investigations are still ongoing, with more arrests expected.