By Adewole Kehinde
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu said he expected the police to have made some arrests after the attack in Yelwata, a community in the Guma LGA of Benue state, which led to the killing of over 40 people.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu said.
He also urged the service chiefs, including Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff, and the heads of the air force, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Department of Security Service (SSS), to intensify their efforts against terror threats in the country.
Some ignorants who don’t know the process of investigation took to social media to criticise the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
There are usually a few essential phases in the investigation process before an arrest is made. The jurisdiction and type of offence can affect the specific steps involved.
The process often begins when a crime is reported to law enforcement. This could be through a call to the police, a witness report, or even an observation by law enforcement officers.
Thereafter, police personnel will conduct a preliminary investigation at the scene. This includes gathering initial evidence, talking to witnesses, and taking statements. They may also secure the crime scene to preserve evidence.
We should not forget that investigators will collect physical evidence, which may include fingerprints, DNA, photographs, and other forensic evidence.
They also review surveillance footage or gather electronic evidence, such as phone records or social media activity.
Police investigators will interview witnesses and potential victims. These interviews aim to gather more information about the circumstances of the crime and identify possible suspects.
Based on the information collected, investigators will now develop a list of potential suspects. They will analyse any connections between the suspect(s) and the crime.
Police personnel will then conduct background checks on potential suspects to find relevant history, such as prior offences or patterns of behaviour that might indicate involvement in the crime.
Surveillance is then conducted by law enforcement on a suspect to gather more evidence of their involvement in criminal activities or to confirm their whereabouts.
If investigators identify a suspect, they may attempt to interview them. This can be a critical part of the investigation, as it may provide further evidence or confessions.
Once sufficient evidence is gathered, law enforcement prepares a prosecution case. This includes compiling reports, evidence, and documentation supporting the case.
The next step is that if investigators believe they have enough evidence to support an arrest, they will prepare a warrant application and present it to a judge.
The judge will review the evidence and decide whether to issue the warrant. If a warrant is issued, law enforcement then proceeds with the arrest of the suspect.
In some urgent situations, arrests may be made without a warrant if officers have probable cause to believe a crime has occurred.
Throughout this process, investigators must adhere to legal standards and ensure that the rights of individuals are protected to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
With the above process, I don’t expect the Inspector General of Police to rush into arrest, as fundamental human rights may be violated in the process of arrest with due investigations.
On Tuesday, 24th June 2025, the IGP addressed the media, where he announced the number of arrests made so far.
On June 13th, 2025, between the hours of 11:30 PM and 2:00 AM, armed militias invaded the Yelwata Community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the IGP, they tragically took the lives of many innocent people and caused severe injuries to others. The attackers rampaged through the community, looting and setting numerous houses on fire, as well as intentionally destroying properties and livelihoods.
This was a coordinated act of terror against the community. In this senseless and brutal assault, forty-seven individuals lost their lives, twenty-seven sustained varying degrees of injuries, and hundreds were left displaced but survived, the IGP stated.
Egbetokun further said, “The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including deployment of tactical units and special forces, to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.
“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our Intelligence Response Team (IRT) who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime. I am pleased to inform you today that twenty-six (26) persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered, Egbetokun stated.
The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has been one of the most active and responsive units under the Inspector General of Police.
The IGP further said that on 19th June, two prime suspects who were masterminds of the attack were apprehended from their hideout.
The arrest led to the arrest of seven other suspects on the following day, picked up from various locations where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.
On 21st June, another key suspect, in whose house the initial meetings to plan the attack were held, was arrested. On 22nd June, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of eighteen other suspects who directly took part in the killings.
On 23rd June, police detectives recovered two GPMGs and eight AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.
The IGP said further clarifies that all twenty-six suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack as legal proceedings are being finalised, and they will be arraigned in court without delay.
I could recall that a self-acclaimed activist once attacked the IGP over the heartbreaking incident that occurred in Mangu, Plateau State, where a bus conveying passengers from Zaria was stopped and attacked by a mob on the 22nd of June, 2025.
According to the IGP, twenty-two suspects have also been arrested in connection with this gruesome act of mob violence, and the IGP has assured Nigerians that they too will face the full wrath of the law in court.
I would like to extend my heartfelt commendation for the exemplary leadership and commitment to public safety in the recent arrests of several dangerous criminals in Yelwata Community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and in Mangu, Plateau State, respectively.
The IGP’s unwavering dedication and the effective strategies implemented by his tactical team have not only ensured a safer environment for the Yelwata Community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and in Mangu, Plateau State, respectively, but have also inspired confidence in law enforcement.
The swift action taken by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) demonstrates their professionalism and resolve in upholding the law.
It is clear that under Egbetokun’s guidance, the police force is making significant strides in combating crime and protecting citizens.
I must commend the IGP and the management team of the force for upholding the values of justice and integrity.
I am confident that with the IGP’s continued leadership, Nigerians will see even greater achievements in the fight against crime.
Adewole Kehinde is a public analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
