Court admits DSS exhibits in Benue ethnic militia trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted several exhibits in the ongoing trial involving suspected ethnic militia members accused of violent attacks and killings in Benue State.

Among the exhibits accepted by the court were a Department of State Services, DSS, investigation report, recovered grenades and ammunition, as well as a video recording of the interrogation of one of the suspects linked to the case.

The development came weeks after the court commenced the prosecution of alleged Fulani and Idoma militia members accused of involvement in deadly attacks in parts of Benue State.

Earlier on March 31, four suspects Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi and Yakubu Adamu were arraigned alongside five others on a 57-count charge bordering on terrorism and the alleged massacre of more than 100 persons in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution presented evidence connected to Silas Oloche, identified as an Agatu youth leader currently standing trial on a six-count charge related to alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

A DSS operative, identified in court as witness XX, testified that Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi community of Agatu LGA.

According to the witness, the suspect was allegedly found with 18 hand grenades, 683 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition and 136 live shotgun cartridges.

The operative, attached to the DSS Security Investigation Department, informed the court that Oloche was later transferred from the Benue command to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.

He further stated that the defendant was interrogated in the presence of a Legal Aid Council representative and allegedly admitted purchasing the ammunition from a man identified as “Chocho” for over N2 million.

The witness also claimed that Oloche willingly gave a written statement and permitted him to write on his behalf because he could not write.

During playback of the recorded interrogation in open court, the defendant alleged that Agatu communities had suffered years of violent attacks by suspected Fulani herders.

In the video, Oloche described himself as the youth leader of Agatu and said the conflict began in 2013 following repeated invasions of farms and attacks on local communities.

He narrated how several peace meetings involving government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers and Fulani representatives from Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states were held in an attempt to resolve the crisis.

According to him, agreements reached during those meetings were repeatedly violated as herders allegedly continued occupying farmlands and destroying crops.

Oloche stated in the recording that frustration grew among residents because of continuous attacks and what he described as lack of adequate government response.

He admitted organising fundraising efforts to purchase ammunition after allegedly receiving intelligence that Fulani groups were preparing fresh attacks.

The defendant further stated that the ammunition was stored in his house and claimed plans were underway to acquire firearms before DSS operatives arrested them.

He also told investigators that members of the community intended to retaliate against attacks but lacked enough weapons and ammunition.

According to him, displaced persons and grieving families contributed money after several attacks and killings in affected communities.

After the video playback, the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extra-judicial statement as evidence before the court.

However, defence lawyer Noah Imoni objected to its admissibility, arguing that the statement was not voluntarily obtained.

The prosecution subsequently requested a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement was made willingly.

Justice Joyce Abdulmaliki granted the request and ordered the trial-within-trial proceedings.

The judge also reserved ruling on the application seeking variation of the defendant’s bail conditions until a later date.

The matter was adjourned to July 8 for continuation of hearing and commencement of the trial-within-trial.