Twenty six suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent massacre of persons at Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun disclosed this at a press briefing at the IGP Conference Hall Force Headquarters Louis Edet House Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team after effective deployment of tactical and operational assets by the Force.

According to him, on June 13, 2025 the suspects attacked a community in Benue State and killed 47 persons, injured 27 persons and displaced many others.

He added that on 19th June,2025 two prime suspects who were masterminds of the attack were apprehended from their hideout.

This arrest he revealed led to the arrest of seven other suspects and on the following day, June 20, 2025, they were picked up from various locations where they had fled hoping to evade justice.

Again, on 21st June, 2025 according to him, another key suspect in whose house the initial meetings to plan the attack was held was arrested.

On 22nd June, 2025, he said a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of eighteen (18) other suspects who directly took part in the killings.

He said: “Again, on 23rd June, 2025 Police detectives recovered two (2) GPMG and eight (8) AK47 rifles which were part of the weapons used during the attack”.

Similarly, on the recent killing of 9 persons traveling from Zaria to Plateau State in a coaster bus in Mangu Plateau State, the IGP said that the Police have arrested 22 persons in connection with the crime.

He called on communities in different parts of the country to always report suspicious movement of unknown individuals to the Police.

He restated the commitment of the Police officers to tackle crime and criminal activities nationwide to make the country safe and secure for all citizens and other persons.