Yelwata massacre, terrorism trial adjourned after defendant collapses in court

The trial of nine suspected terrorists accused of the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata Community in Benue State, which killed about 150 people, was on Tuesday adjourned after one of the defendants collapsed in Court.

The suspects are facing prosecution by the Federal Government through the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), told the Court that the matter, scheduled for a trial-within-trial, could not proceed as the third defendant, who appeared in Court unassisted, suffered a sudden health crisis.

He emphasised that the prosecution targets the suspects for their alleged role in the Yelwata killings, not for any other reason.

Ahmed Mohammad, Counsel to the ailing defendant, sought an adjournment to allow his client receive medical care in any Abuja hospital.

The application was unopposed by counsel to the first defendant, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, and the prosecution.

The Court adjourned the trial to March 30 and 31, 2026, and directed that hearing notices be served on all defendants.

The nine suspects, who pleaded not guilty to a 57-count amended terrorism charge, are alleged to have planned and executed the Yelwata attack, which destroyed several homes and left many residents dead or injured.

They are: Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin.

Count one (FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025) alleges the suspects participated in meetings in Nasarawa State between May and June 2025, planning the attack in Guma Local Government Area, contrary to Section 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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In count 25, Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono is accused of instructing other Ardos and Fulani youths across Nasarawa, Kwara, Taraba, Giza, and neighbouring villages to carry out the assault, resulting in at least 150 deaths, in breach of Section 26(2)(b) of the same Act.