A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from 13 mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as investigations intensify into the June 13, 2025 attack.
The exhumation forms part of a federal probe into the killings that left dozens dead and forced many residents to flee their homes.
According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the forensic team was led by Saad Ahmed from the office of the attorney-general of the federation. They arrived in Yelwata on February 23 alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from Abuja.
The delegation reportedly worked with officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to identify burial sites and coordinate the exercise.
Under tight security provided by the Benue State Police Command, seven bodies were initially exhumed on February 24. The operation continued on February 25 and 26, with additional remains recovered, bringing the total to 105 bodies from 13 mass graves located in and around Yelwata. The exercise was concluded on February 26.
The publication said the exhumation was carried out to enable forensic inquests and strengthen evidence in the ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the killings.
Meanwhile, the federal government has arraigned nine suspects over their alleged involvement in the Yelwata attack before Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Authorities say further developments in the investigation will be communicated as forensic analysis progresses.
