The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday announced the arrest of 53 suspects said to be masterminds of the recent attacks and killings in Benue and Plateau states.
The attacks claimed several lives with many others injured and displaced.
The IGP said 26 were arrested for the attack in Yelewata, Benue state, while 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the Plateau state incident and another five in Benue state .
Egbetokun said the suspects who were arrested by operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Team(IRT), were found to be in possession of two General-Purpose Machine Guns( GPMG) and eight AK-47 rifles used in the attack at the time of their arrest.
The IGP, at a media briefing held at the police Force Headquarters , Abuja, 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 , 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 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 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 communities 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. They were picked up from their previous locations, where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.
“On 21 June, another key suspect, in whose house the pressure meeting to plan the attack was held, was also arrested. On 22 June, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of 18 other suspects, who directly took part in the killings. On 23 June, our detectives recovered two guns and eight AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.”
He said the 26 suspects arrested in connection with the Yelewata attack are in custody and had 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 arranged in court without delay. We will go after anyone, planner or executor, who attacks any community in Nigeria.
“Similarly, on 22 June, 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. They will face the full rights 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 travelers in the Agan area on June 23.
The IGP, said, “Again, yesterday, 23 June, 2025, another ugly incident was recorded in Benue State, where two persons travelling in a truck were killed at Agan area, North Bank, Makurdi.
