FG to arraign Yelwata, Benue killing suspects Monday

The Federal Government has announced that suspects arrested in connection with the recent killings in Yelwata community, Benue State, will be arraigned in court on Monday.

According to a statement issued by Kamarudeen Ogundele, Senior Assistant on Communication and Publicity to the Minister of Justice, the suspects will be brought before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on February 2.

Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, assured Nigerians that the government is determined to ensure justice is served in the case, describing the arraignment as part of efforts to send a strong warning to those threatening national peace and security.

“This development follows a painstaking investigation and close collaboration among relevant government agencies,” Fagbemi said. “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property of all Nigerians, as enshrined in the Constitution.”
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It will be recalled that Benue State has, in recent years, been a flashpoint for violent attacks, often linked to long-standing tensions over land use and communal disputes.

The latest incident in Yelwata reportedly claimed several lives and displaced residents, sparking public outrage and renewed calls for decisive government action to curb insecurity in the state.

The killings prompted swift condemnation from civil society groups, traditional leaders, and residents, who demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The Federal Government’s decision to arraign the suspects is seen as a significant step toward accountability amid growing concerns over recurring violence in the region.

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Authorities have reiterated that investigations are ongoing and that anyone found culpable, regardless of status or affiliation, will be made to face the full weight of the law.