The trial of nine suspected terrorists accused of the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata Community in Benue State has been adjourned due to a sudden health crisis suffered by one of the defendants. The incident occurred in Court, prompting the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, to request an adjournment. The prosecution, led by the Department of State Services, is seeking to try the suspects for their alleged role in the Yelwata killings.
The nine suspects, who pleaded not guilty to a 57-count amended terrorism charge, are accused of planning and executing the attack that 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. The suspects are alleged to have planned the attack during meetings in Nasarawa State between May and June 2025.
The trial, which was scheduled for a trial-within-trial, has been adjourned to March 30 and 31, 2026. The Court directed that hearing notices be served on all defendants.
The adjournment of the Yelwata terrorism trial raises questions about the efficiency of the justice system in Nigeria. The fact that one of the defendants collapsed in Court, prompting an adjournment, suggests that the system may not be equipped to handle complex cases like this. The trial, which has been ongoing for several months, has now been pushed to March 2026, leaving many wondering if justice will be served for the victims of the Yelwata massacre. The case highlights the need for the government to invest in the justice system and ensure that it is equipped to handle sensitive cases like this. The delay in the trial may also have a ripple effect on the families of the victims, who are still seeking closure and justice for their loved ones.
