Police exhume seven bodies over Yelwata killings

Authorities have exhumed seven bodies in connection with the 2025 killings in Yelwata, as part of ongoing investigations led by a Presidential Medical Delegation seeking justice for victims of the attack.

Security sources said the exhumation, carried out on February 24 in Benue State, was conducted by federal investigators from the Intelligence Response Team following an earlier situation report on the exercise.

According to officials, the recovered remains were taken for inquest, with authorities indicating that further exhumations may follow.

“Seven corpses have been exhumed by the IRT-led federal investigators for inquest. The exercise will continue, and further developments will be communicated,” police sources said.

Forensic pathologists from the Federal Ministry of Justice have also arrived to support investigations into the June 13, 2025 attack on the community located in Guma Local Government Area.

Members of the Presidential Medical Delegation visited the burial site on Monday, inspecting graves of victims and documenting evidence as part of a broader medical and forensic review process.

The latest move follows proceedings at the Federal High Court Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on February 2, 2026 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over their alleged involvement in the attack. The court emphasised the need for forensic evidence to support a fair trial and determine culpability.

Security officials said adequate measures were put in place to ensure the exhumation exercise was conducted peacefully.

The June 2025 assault on Yelwata resulted in multiple deaths and displaced several residents, forcing many families to flee their homes.

The report was filed by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who noted that investigations remain ongoing as authorities continue efforts to gather evidence and secure justice for victims.