A federal team of forensic pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from mass graves in the Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as part of an ongoing investigation into the 13 June 2025 attack on the area.
Sahara Reporters reported on Friday that the team, led by Saad Ahmed from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, arrived in Yelwata on Monday alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja.
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The report said members of the Presidential Medical Delegation and officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency worked with the federal investigators during the exercise.
Security sources cited in the report said the graves were identified on Monday under police protection.
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Exhumation began the following day, when seven bodies were initially recovered.
The team continued work on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the total number of bodies exhumed to 105 from 13 mass graves located in and around the community.
“Seven corpses were initially exhumed by the IRT-led federal investigators for inquest. The exercise continued, and further development will be communicated,” a security source was quoted as saying.
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The exhumation follows proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on 2 February before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in connection with the Yelwata killings.
During the proceedings, the court stressed the need for forensic evidence to ensure a fair trial and proper determination of culpability.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Federal Government had deployed forensic experts to Benue after the court underscored the evidentiary value of scientific analysis in the prosecution.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently commenced prosecution of suspects arrested over the incident.
READ ALSO: Nigerian government begins forensic probe of Yelwata killings
The 13 June 2025 attack in Yelwata left scores of residents dead and triggered renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Benue State, particularly in Guma Local Government Area, which has recorded repeated episodes of violence in recent years.
Authorities said the ongoing forensic inquest is intended to establish the identities of the victims and strengthen the evidentiary basis of the case already before the court.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
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