IGP Confirms Arrest of 53 Suspects Over Deadly Benue, Plateau Attacks — 47 Killed in Yelewata Massacre

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the arrest of 53 suspects connected to the bloody attacks in Benue and Plateau states—attacks that have left dozens of Nigerians dead and many more displaced.

According to a NewsVista reporter, Egbetokun made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, where he described the June 13 assault on Yelewata community in Benue State as nothing short of a coordinated terrorist attack.

The IGP revealed chilling details of the massacre, stating that 47 lives were lost, while 27 others sustained serious injuries. In the aftermath of the violence, security forces recovered two general-purpose machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles believed to have been used by the attackers.

“This was not a random incident—it was a planned act of terror,” Egbetokun stressed, highlighting the deliberate nature of the attack and the police’s swift response.

With investigations still ongoing, the Inspector General assured the nation that the police would not rest until every perpetrator is brought to justice. He emphasized the need for stronger community-police collaboration and intelligence sharing to stop such atrocities before they happen.

The attacks have drawn widespread condemnation from across the country, with human rights groups and residents demanding urgent action from both the state and federal governments.

In recent months, the North Central region has witnessed a disturbing rise in violence—often targeting farming communities and villages. The growing insecurity has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s security architecture, especially in rural areas.

As communities mourn the dead and care for the injured, all eyes are now on law enforcement to deliver swift and decisive justice.

For continuous updates on this developing story and more on Nigeria’s security situation, stay with NewsVista.