A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that nine suspected terrorists accused of attacking Yelwata Community in Benue State be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The suspects are alleged to have carried out an attack on June 13, 2025, during which about 150 people were killed, many houses were burnt, and several others were injured.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Monday while adjourning the case to February 26 and 27 for trial. The suspects were remanded while the court awaits the hearing of their bail applications.
The decision followed the arraignment of the suspects on a 57-count amended charge related to terrorism. All nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After the plea, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, asked the court to fix an early trial date and order the suspects to be kept in custody while the case continues. He said the prosecution plans to call about eight witnesses to testify.
A lawyer representing some of the defendants asked the court to allow an oral bail application, but the judge rejected the request. She ruled that bail applications must be made formally in writing.
The suspects were arrested through a joint operation by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS).
The nine defendants 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.
During the court session, the Attorney-General informed the court that an amended charge had been filed. He also asked that the name of one suspect, Yakubu Mamah, be removed from the case. The defence lawyers did not object, and the court granted the request.
According to the charges, the suspects allegedly held meetings between May and June 2025 to plan terrorist acts. They were accused of organising and carrying out the Yelwata attack, which led to widespread destruction and loss of lives.
One of the charges also accuses the first defendant, Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, of instructing others to carry out the attack in Yelwata, which resulted in the death of about 150 people.
The offences are said to be contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and carry serious penalties if proven.
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