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The Federal High Court in Abuja has heard allegations that a Benue community youth leader, Silas Oloche, mobilised ammunition in preparation for a planned retaliation against Fulani herders following repeated attacks in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Oloche is currently facing a six count charge over the alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
During proceedings, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified only as XX, testified as the prosecution’s first witness. The witness told the court that Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi, Agatu LGA, allegedly 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 DSS operative, attached to the agency’s Security Investigation Department, said the defendant was later transferred from the Benue State command to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.
According to the witness, Oloche was interviewed in the presence of a Legal Aid counsel and allegedly admitted buying the ammunition from a man identified as “Chocho” for more than N2 million.
The court also heard that the defendant gave a written statement and allowed the operative to write on his behalf because he could not write.
Justice Joyce Abdumaliki admitted the investigation report, the defendant’s statement, the recovered ammunition and grenades, and an audio visual recording of the interrogation as evidence.
During the playback of the recorded statement in open court, Oloche spoke about years of violent clashes between Agatu communities and Fulani herders.
In the video, he identified himself as the youth leader of Agatu and said the conflict began in 2013 following repeated attacks on farmlands and communities.
He also spoke about several meetings involving government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, and Fulani representatives in Kogi, Benue, and Nasarawa states aimed at resolving the crisis.
According to him, agreements reached for herders to leave occupied farmlands were repeatedly ignored, while cattle continued destroying crops.
Oloche further stated in the video that frustration grew in the community due to what he described as repeated attacks and the absence of government intervention.
He told investigators that he coordinated efforts to raise funds for ammunition after receiving reports that Fulani groups were preparing for confrontation.
The defendant admitted obtaining ammunition and storing it in his house but said no guns had been acquired before security operatives arrested him.
He also said the community planned to retaliate against attacks but lacked enough weapons and ammunition to carry out the plan.
According to him, displaced villagers and grieving families contributed money after bodies were recovered from attacked communities.
He alleged that repeated appeals to authorities yielded no intervention, adding that the situation fuelled anger and thoughts of retaliation within the community.
After the video was played in court, the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extra judicial statement as evidence.
However, defence counsel Noah Imoni objected to its admissibility, arguing that the statement was not made voluntarily.
The defence claimed the defendant was beaten, tortured, and traumatised during interrogation, while also questioning the role of the Legal Aid lawyer who was present during the interview.
In response, the prosecution asked the court to conduct a trial within trial to determine whether the statement was voluntarily made.
Justice Abdumaliki subsequently ordered a trial within trial.
Earlier, the defence also asked the court to relax the defendant’s bail conditions, arguing that the requirement for two Abuja based sureties with fully developed properties in the Federal Capital Territory was too strict.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the seriousness of the allegations justified the conditions already set by the court.
The judge reserved ruling on the bail application to a later date.
The matter was adjourned until July 8 for the commencement of the trial within trial and continuation of hearing.
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