A community youth leader from Benue State, Silas Oloche, is facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful possession of grenades and ammunition reportedly linked to planned reprisals against suspected Fulani herders.
The Department of State Services (DSS) told the court that the accused was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi community, Agatu Local Government Area, following intelligence reports.
Testifying before the court, a DSS operative identified as XX alleged that security agents recovered 18 hand grenades, 683 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, and 136 live shotgun cartridges from the defendant.
The witness said Oloche was later transferred from the DSS command in Benue to the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly confessed during interrogation that the ammunition was purchased from a man identified as “Chocho” for over N2 million.
The court admitted into evidence the recovered ammunition, investigation reports, written statements, grenades, and an audio-visual recording of the interrogation.
During the playback of the recorded statement in court, Oloche reportedly narrated years of attacks on Agatu communities by suspected Fulani herders, which he said led to frustration and fear among residents.
He allegedly told investigators that members of the community contributed funds to acquire ammunition after receiving reports of possible attacks.
Oloche reportedly admitted storing the ammunition in his house but claimed no firearms had been acquired before his arrest.
However, defence counsel Noah Imoni objected to the admissibility of the defendant’s extra-judicial statement, arguing that it was obtained under duress.
The defence alleged that the accused was beaten and tortured during interrogation and urged the court to reject the statement.
Following arguments from both parties, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdumaliki, ordered a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement was voluntarily made.
The court also heard an application by the defence seeking a review of the defendant’s bail conditions, which the prosecution opposed.
The matter was adjourned to July 8 for continuation of trial proceedings.