Video: Police arrest 53 linked to Benue, Plateau attacks
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reported the detention of 26 individuals linked to the recent massacre in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State, where several villagers lost their lives.
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During a press conference at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP shared that these arrests were the result of a coordinated police operation, with most of the suspects taken into custody on June 22, 2025.
He also mentioned that, during the assault, two attackers were neutralized by police personnel, leading to the displacement of over 100 residents.
In a wider effort to combat violence nationwide, Egbetokun added that 22 suspects had been arrested related to the killing of 12 travelers in Plateau State, and five individuals were apprehended this week for the murder of two people in a separate incident in Benue State.
A total of 53 arrests have so far been made in connection with the recent wave of deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states.
Egbetokun said, “As we all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hour of 23.30 and the hour of 23.40, two militias invaded the Eluwata community in the Manuka Province area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul on sight.
“The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other properties and properties of livelihoods.
“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community. In this senseless barbaric attack, 47 persons were confirmed killed, 27 persons sustained various degrees of injuries, while hundreds of others have been displaced but not dead.
“The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including the deployment of tactical units and special forces to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.
“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our intelligence response team, who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of this heinous crime. I am pleased to inform you here today that 26 persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.
“On June 19, two prime suspects who were masterminds of this attack were apprehended from their hideout.
“This arrest led to the arrest of seven other suspects the following day they were picked up from their previous locations, where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.
“On June 21, another key suspect, in whose house the pressure meeting to plan the attack was held, was also arrested.
“On June 22, a breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of 18 other suspects who directly took part in the killings. On June 23, our detectives recovered two general-purpose machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.
“All 26 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in this attack.
“As I speak, legal proceedings have been finalised and they will be arraigned in court without delay. We will go after anyone, planner or executor who attacks any community in Nigeria.
Similarly, on June 22, 2025, a heart-breaking incident occurred in Mangu, Plateau State, where a bus conveying passengers from Zaria was stopped and attacked by a mob.
“Tragically, nine of the passengers were murdered and three sustained injuries before our teams could intervene and rescue the remaining 22 victims.
“So far, 22 suspects have also been arrested in connection with this gruesome act of mob violence. These two will face the full rights of the law in court.
“Again, yesterday, June 23, 2025, another ugly incident was recorded in Benue State, where two persons travelling in a truck were killed at Agan area, North Bank, Makurdi.
“Five persons connected to this crime have also been arrested and will also be made to face the full weight of the law.”
