Nigeria Files 57 Terrorism Charges Over 2025 Yelwata Massacre That Left 150 Dead
ABUJA, Feb 2 (Reuters) – In a significant legal move, Nigerian federal prosecutors on Monday brought 57 counts of terrorism against nine individuals allegedly responsible for the June 2025 massacre in the Yelwata community, which resulted in approximately 150 fatalities.
The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in the capital Abuja, detail a coordinated plot. The defendants are accused of holding planning meetings, raising funds, procuring weapons, and mobilizing fighters across multiple states ahead of the June 13 assault on Yelwata in Benue state's Guma district. The attack, which involved the torching of homes, stands as one of the most lethal rural atrocities in Nigeria in years.
Court documents name Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono as the alleged ringleader, stating that he and others convened in neighboring Nasarawa state to raise cash, issue orders, and recruit militants. Several co-accused are charged with supplying AK-47 rifles, providing logistical aid to the gunmen, or offering safe houses for planning the operation.
The case highlights the enduring security nightmare in Nigeria's Middle Belt, a region straddling the country's predominantly Muslim north and Christian south. This area has been a flashpoint for decades, with violence fueled by complex tensions over land, resources, religion, and ethnicity, often overwhelming state security forces.
The prosecution arrives amid sustained international pressure on Abuja to curb widespread insecurity, which ranges from Islamist insurgencies to mass kidnappings. The issue drew sharp U.S. scrutiny last year when former President Donald Trump publicly criticized Nigeria's failure to protect Christian communities. Following U.S. airstrikes on alleged terrorist targets in late December, Nigerian authorities have emphasized ongoing security cooperation with Washington.
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Chidi Nwankwo, Security Analyst, Abuja: "This prosecution is a necessary step, but it's a reaction to a horrific event that should have been prevented. It tests the judiciary's capacity to handle complex terrorism cases and deliver justice that can deter future violence. The real measure of success will be whether it disrupts the networks funding and enabling these attacks."
Amina Sule, Human Rights Advocate, Lagos: "My heart remains with the families in Yelwata. While charges are welcome, we've seen too many high-profile cases stagnate. This must not be another headline forgotten tomorrow. True accountability requires a transparent trial and addressing the root causes—the economic despair and political neglect that make young men vulnerable to recruitment."
Col. (Retd.) James Okafor, Port Harcourt: "Finally, some action! But let's be blunt: this is a theatrical response to American pressure. Where were these charges before Trump opened his mouth? The security apparatus has been incompetent for years. Prosecuting nine men after 150 are dead is not a victory; it's an admission of systemic failure."
Fatima Aliyu, Political Science Lecturer, Kano: "This legal action is strategically important. It signals the federal government's intent to treat inter-communal violence within a counter-terrorism framework, which could unlock more resources and focus. However, it risks simplifying a multifaceted conflict into a mere legal battle, overlooking the essential need for dialogue and reconciliation at the local level."