In a major breakthrough following a series of coordinated attacks on Yelewata community in Benue State and parts of Plateau, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the arrest of 53 suspects, including key masterminds of the killings that shocked the nation.
Addressing the media at Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP said 26 suspects were arrested for the massacre in Yelewata, 22 in Plateau, and five others for attacks in Benue State. He revealed that the deadly onslaught in Yelewata left 47 people dead, 27 injured, and hundreds displaced.
“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community,” Egbetokun stated.
“Two militias invaded Yelewata on June 13, killing and maiming indiscriminately. Several homes were burned, and farmlands destroyed.”
Presidential Pressure Triggers Action
The arrests come days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directly confronted the IGP and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, during a visit to Makurdi, Benue State.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata? Inspector-General of Police, where are the arrests?” President Tinubu queried at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting.
He also tasked the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather intelligence to ensure justice for the victims.
According to IGP Egbetokun, swift deployment of tactical teams and detectives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led to rapid progress:
- June 19: Two prime masterminds were arrested from their hideout.
- June 20: Seven more suspects were captured from scattered locations across Benue and neighboring areas.
- June 21: A suspect who hosted the pressure meeting where the attack was planned was arrested.
- June 22: A major breakthrough 18 direct participants in the killing were nabbed.
- June 23: Police recovered two general-purpose machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles used in the attack.
Egbetokun confirmed that all 26 suspects arrested in connection with the Yelewata killings have confessed, and legal processes are underway for their arraignment.
“Let this serve as a warning we will go after anyone, planner or executor, who attacks any community in Nigeria,” the IGP affirmed.
The Yelewata massacre is one of the worst in recent memory. It sparked widespread outrage, especially with reports of over 100 lives lost and entire villages left in ruins. Survivors now take refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across Nasarawa and Benue states, while others remain missing.
As Nigeria battles rising insecurity across rural and border communities, the swift arrests following President Tinubu’s intervention show renewed urgency by federal authorities. But many are asking will justice be served swiftly, and will it prevent future bloodshed?
9am News Nigeria will continue to track developments as legal proceedings commence.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
