Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects linked to the June 13 attack in Yelwata Local Government Area of Benue State, which claimed the lives of about 200 people, injured several others, and caused the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The incident triggered nationwide condemnation, with President Bola Tinubu expressing disappointment over the security agencies’ response.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held after the massacre, President Tinubu publicly criticised the police for their “failure” to swiftly apprehend those responsible. He emphasised that arrests should have been made promptly after the attack.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on June 24, Egbetokun assured the public that the arrested individuals would soon be arraigned in court.
He also disclosed that the arrests include 22 suspects taken into custody in Jos in connection with the gruesome murder of nine travellers who were on their way to Quanpan for a wedding.
The police chief clarified that although 28 individuals were initially detained, two were later released after being identified as decoys used to capture the actual suspects. The remaining 26 are believed to be the masterminds behind the attacks.
