From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday announced the arrest of 53 suspects said to be masterminds of the recent attacks and killings in Benue and Plateau states that claimed several lives, with many others injured and displaced.
The IGP said 26 were arrested for the attack in Yelwata, Benue State, while 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the Plateau incident and another five in Benue.
Egbetokun said the suspects, who were arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), were found to be in possession of two general-purpose machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles used in the attack at the time of their arrest.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
The IGP, at a media briefing held at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, said, “As we all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 23:30 and 23:40, two militias invaded the Yelwata community in the Manuka Province area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul in sight. The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other properties and means of livelihoods.
“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community. In this senseless barbaric attack, 47 persons were confirmed killed. Twenty-seven 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.”
The IGP, explaining how the suspects were arrested, 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.
According to him, “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, June 20, 2025. 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 planning meeting to plan the attack was held, was also arrested. On June 22, a major 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.”
He said all the 26 suspects arrested in connection with the Yelwata attack are in custody and have confessed to the crime.
“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.”
On the killing of passengers in Plateau State, the IGP disclosed that 22 persons have been arrested in connection with the June 22 mob attack in Mangu, Plateau State, where passengers travelling from Zaria were brutally killed.
He said, “Similarly, on June 22, 2025, a heartbreaking 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, too, will face the full weight of the law in court.”
He 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.
The IGP 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 trend of reprisal attacks in the country, the IGP 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 reprisal 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.”
The post Police arrest 53 suspects over Benue, Plateau killings, recover 2 GPMG, 8 AK-47 rifles used for the attack appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
