ABUJA — The Federal Government will today, Monday, February 2, 2026, formally arraign suspects linked to the deadly massacre in the Yelwata community of Benue State.
The defendants are scheduled to appear before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The proceedings follow an extensive investigation into the June 2025 attack in Guma Local Government Area, which resulted in the loss of numerous lives and the destruction of properties.
A Warning to Perpetrators
In a statement issued by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the government emphasized that the trial is intended to send a definitive warning to those fueling insecurity across the country. The AGF’s media aide, Kamarudeen Ogundele, noted that the administration is committed to ensuring that perpetrators of mass violence face the full weight of the law.
Commitment to Justice
The upcoming trial is seen as a pivotal step in the Federal Government’s effort to address the recurring farmers-herders conflicts and communal clashes in the Middle Belt. By moving the case to the nation’s capital, authorities aim to ensure a high level of security and transparency throughout the judicial process.
Legal experts and human rights groups have lauded the move, stating that prompt prosecution is essential to ending the culture of impunity that has historically surrounded rural killings in Nigeria. The outcome of the Monday hearing is expected to set a precedent for other pending cases involving mass casualties in the region.
