53 suspects arrested for Benue, Plateau killings for arraignment– IG

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, said no fewer than 53 suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent wave of deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states.

The attacks claimed dozens of lives and left several others injured or displaced.

This is as he said the suspects would be arraigned in court without delay for their roles in the brutal attacks.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP described the June 13 massacre in the Yelewata community of Benue State as a “coordinated attack of terror.”

He said 26 were arrested for the attack in Yelewata, 22 suspects in connection with the Plateau incident and another five in Benue for a more recent attack in Makurdi.

He stated that 47 persons were killed and 27 were injured in the Yelewata attack, adding that two general-purpose machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles used in the attack were recovered.

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.”

He added, “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.”

Explaining how the suspects were arrested, Egbetokun said two prime suspects were nabbed on June 19 from their hideout, adding that the prime suspects helped the police to arrest seven other suspects.

He said, “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.”

Egbetokun said all the 26 suspects arrested in connection with the Yelewata attack were in custody and had confessed to the crime.

He said, “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.”

The IGP also disclosed that 22 persons have been arrested in connection with the June 22 mob attack in Mangu, Plateau State.

Passengers travelling from Zaria in Kaduna State for a wedding were brutally killed

He said, “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.”

The police boss further revealed the arrest of five persons in Makurdi, Benue State capital, for their alleged involvement in the killing of two truck travellers in the Agan area on June 23.

Egbetokun said, “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.”

Decrying the trends of reprisals in the country, the IG warned that the police would leave no stone unturned to arrest perpetrators.

He called on Nigerians to reject violence and embrace peace regardless of ethnic or religious affiliations.

Egbetokun said, “The recent trend of repressor killings, where innocent citizens are murdered in retaliation for crimes committed by others, is barbaric, senseless, and dangerous. It does not bring justice.

“We will go after anyone, planner or executor, who attacks any community in Nigeria. We will leave no stone unturned until justice is served.”

Egbetokun also assured Nigerians that the police were ramping up efforts to overcome current security challenges using modern technology, especially in hard-to-reach areas across the country.

He acknowledged the frustration often expressed by the public when security breaches occurred but called for a better understanding of the difficult terrain in which security agencies operate.

Egbetokun said, “Yes, I’m aware that it’s okay to blame security when things happen. It’s okay.

“But when we are blaming security agencies, let us not forget that the terrain is vast and some of these terrains are also difficult. Some with no access road, some are mountainous, and some with no telecommunication network. These are challenges.

I’m not saying this as an excuse. I’m not giving excuses. I’m only saying it for you to know that we are aware of these limitations and that we are working seriously to address these challenges.

“We cannot possibly deploy personnel to cover all the spaces. It’s a vast terrain and these communities are scattered all over.

“You have thousands of them isolated, scattered all over. So we can’t deploy our personnel to cover all the spaces. We can’t possibly cover every square metre of the space.”

He, however, said what the security forces could not cover with manpower, they would cover with technology.

“Very soon, we will sit down in our offices and see the criminals committing crimes on the streets in far remote areas of our communities. We’ll be able to sit down in our offices and see them and even respond to them.

“So that time is coming very soon. We are working on it and it’s going to happen in the life of this administration. It’s going to happen,” he said.

Responding to the question of whether Abuja is safe or not, the IG simply said, “Abuja is safe.”

CDS misquoted on killings – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has, however, refuted reports suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, justified or blamed victims in the recent Yelewata killings.

It described such claims as “misleading” and “taken out of context.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, condemned the portrayal of the CDS’s comments by a civil society organisation as both inaccurate and inflammatory.

“At no point did the CDS intend to justify the heinous acts perpetrated by criminal elements in Benue or elsewhere.

“His remarks were aimed at highlighting the complex realities in conflict zones and the need for vigilance,” the statement read.

Gen Musa’s comments, according to the DHQ, were made in good faith and within the broader context of urging communities to remain alert and cooperate with security agencies to thwart the infiltration strategies of insurgents and criminal groups.

“It is regrettable that advocacy groups would twist the narrative and politicize a matter as sensitive as national security,” Gusau said.

He added that the CDS had consistently shown commitment to protecting all Nigerians without bias and had worked diligently to foster civil-military cooperation.

The Defence Headquarters also dismissed descriptions of the CDS’s remarks as “reckless” or “insensitive,” calling such accusations unfounded and damaging to military morale.

“Such insinuations undermine the tireless efforts of the armed forces in managing highly volatile and emotionally charged security situations across the country,” the DHQ stated.

While affirming its respect for citizens’ right to express concerns, the military urged stakeholders to engage constructively, verify information, and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could worsen tensions or erode public trust.

“The Defence Headquarters remains committed to working with communities, civil society organisations, and government institutions to secure justice, peace, and accountability across Nigeria,” the statement added.

Alia sets peace plan in motion

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has commenced efforts to establish a peace committee, in line with a recent directive by President Bola Tinubu to foster lasting peace and stability in the state.

The initiative comes amid ongoing security and communal challenges in various parts of the state, particularly in areas affected by clashes between farmers and herders.

The President who visited the state last week had directed the governor to set up the committee.

He urged the governor to champion the activities of the peace committee, which also includes federal officials, and non-indigenes living in the state.

Tinubu said, “Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity.

“I want the traditional rulers — the Tor Tiv, the Och’Idoma and others to be included in this peace committee.

“The governor of Nasarawa is here and the governor of Benue is here, let’s create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity

This is a very critical time. The governor needs your help. Let’s have a committee with non-indigenes incorporated.”

When asked for an update on the committee on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kula Tersoo, said, “The governor is on it already,” suggesting that Alia has begun consultations toward constituting the committee.

He, however, declined to answer further questions sent to him on the matter.

When contacted, the Media Aide to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Christopher Tarka, asked our correspondent to send a text message, which he did not respond to.

However, our correspondent gathered that the SGF, George Akume, met with the paramount traditional rulers of Benue State, the Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, Agabaidu John, as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in the state.

The meeting, held in Benue, was said to be in response to a directive by the President to urgently constitute a strategic peace committee aimed at addressing the root causes of violence in the state and charting a path toward lasting reconciliation and stability.