A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted in evidence a report by the Department of State Services (DSS) alleging that certain leaders from the Agatu community in Benue State stockpiled grenades and ammunition for planned retaliatory attacks against Fulani cattle herders. The development comes weeks after the court commenced the prosecution of suspected members of Fulani and Idoma militias linked to ethnic killings in the state.
Background of the Case
On Tuesday, March 31, nine suspected Fulani militia members, including Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, and Yakubu Adamu, were arraigned on a 57-count charge bordering on terrorism and the alleged massacre of over 100 persons in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of the state. On Monday, the court also admitted grenades, a cache of ammunition, and an audio-visual recording of the interrogation of one of the suspects as exhibits.
Arrest and Allegations
The suspect, Silas Oloche, identified as an Agatu youth leader, faces a six-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. A DSS operative, testifying as the prosecution's first witness, told the court that Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi, Agatu LGA, allegedly in possession of 18 hand grenades, 683 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, and 136 live rounds of shotgun ammunition. The witness, identified only by the codename XX, stated that the defendant was transferred from the Benue State Command to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.
Confession and Video Evidence
According to the witness, Oloche was interviewed in the presence of Legal Aid Council officials and allegedly confessed to purchasing the ammunition from a man named “Chocho” for over N2 million. The operative added that the defendant volunteered a written statement and consented to the officer writing on his behalf due to his inability to write. During the playback of a video recording of the defendant's extra-judicial statement, Oloche alleged years of violent attacks on Agatu communities by Fulani herders. He identified himself as the youth leader of Agatu and said the crisis dated back to 2013, arising from repeated attacks on farmlands and communities allegedly carried out by Fulani cattle herders.
Failed Agreements and Retaliatory Plans
Oloche recounted meetings involving government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, and Fulani community representatives from Kogi, Benue, and Nasarawa states aimed at resolving the conflict. He stated that several agreements were reached for herders to vacate occupied farmlands, but these were repeatedly breached while cattle continued to destroy crops. He expressed frustration over repeated attacks and lack of government intervention, leading him to lead efforts to raise funds for ammunition after allegedly receiving information that Fulani groups were preparing for another round of attacks. Oloche admitted obtaining several rounds of ammunition and keeping them in his house, but said the group had not yet acquired guns before DSS operatives arrested them. He also stated that Agatu communities planned retaliatory attacks but were hindered by inadequate ammunition and firearms, with displaced villagers and grieving families contributing money for arms after retrieving bodies from attacked communities.
Legal Proceedings
At the conclusion of the video playback, the prosecution tendered the defendant's extra-judicial statement in evidence. However, defence counsel Noah Imoni objected to its admissibility, arguing that the statement was not voluntarily obtained. In response, the prosecution urged the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statement. The trial judge subsequently ordered a trial-within-trial and reserved ruling on the bail variation application to a later date. The matter was adjourned to July 8 for the commencement of the trial-within-trial and continuation of hearing.
