Benue Youth Leader Allegedly Stockpiled Grenades, Ammunition For Retaliation Against Fulani Herders — DSS Witness Tells Court
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May 26, 2026
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*The Federal High Court in Abuja has heard allegations that a Benue youth leader, Silas Oloche, mobilised ammunition for a planned retaliation against Fulani herders over repeated attacks in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Oloche is currently facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Testifying before the court, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified only as XX said the defendant was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi, Agatu LGA, 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 allegedly recovered from him.
The witness told the court that Oloche was later transferred from the DSS command in Benue to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.
According to the operative, the defendant made statements in the presence of a Legal Aid counsel and allegedly admitted purchasing the ammunition from a man known as “Chocho” for more than N2 million.
The witness added that Oloche consented to having his statement written on his behalf because he could not write.
Justice Joyce Abdumaliki admitted into evidence the investigation report, the defendant’s statement, the recovered ammunition and grenades, as well as a video recording of the interrogation.
During the video playback in open court, Oloche reportedly narrated years of attacks on Agatu communities by suspected Fulani herders, saying the conflict dated back to 2013.
He claimed several peace meetings involving government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, and Fulani representatives from Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states failed to stop the attacks and destruction of farmlands.
Oloche further stated in the video that frustration within the community grew due to repeated attacks and what he described as the government’s failure to intervene.
He admitted helping to raise funds to purchase ammunition after receiving reports that Fulani groups were preparing for confrontation.
The defendant also said the ammunition was kept in his house and claimed no firearms had been acquired before DSS operatives arrested him.
According to him, displaced residents and grieving families contributed money after attacks on their communities.
After the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extra-judicial statement, defence counsel Noah Imoni objected, arguing that the statement was obtained under torture and was not voluntary.
The prosecution, however, asked the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the statement, a request granted by the judge.
The court also heard arguments over an application seeking a review of Oloche’s bail conditions, which the defence described as too strict.
Justice Abdumaliki fixed July 8 for the commencement of the trial-within-trial and continuation of the main trial.*
Oloche is currently facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Testifying before the court, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified only as XX said the defendant was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi, Agatu LGA, 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 allegedly recovered from him.
The witness told the court that Oloche was later transferred from the DSS command in Benue to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.
According to the operative, the defendant made statements in the presence of a Legal Aid counsel and allegedly admitted purchasing the ammunition from a man known as “Chocho” for more than N2 million.
The witness added that Oloche consented to having his statement written on his behalf because he could not write.
Justice Joyce Abdumaliki admitted into evidence the investigation report, the defendant’s statement, the recovered ammunition and grenades, as well as a video recording of the interrogation.
During the video playback in open court, Oloche reportedly narrated years of attacks on Agatu communities by suspected Fulani herders, saying the conflict dated back to 2013.
He claimed several peace meetings involving government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, and Fulani representatives from Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states failed to stop the attacks and destruction of farmlands.
Oloche further stated in the video that frustration within the community grew due to repeated attacks and what he described as the government’s failure to intervene.
He admitted helping to raise funds to purchase ammunition after receiving reports that Fulani groups were preparing for confrontation.
The defendant also said the ammunition was kept in his house and claimed no firearms had been acquired before DSS operatives arrested him.
According to him, displaced residents and grieving families contributed money after attacks on their communities.
After the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extra-judicial statement, defence counsel Noah Imoni objected, arguing that the statement was obtained under torture and was not voluntary.
The prosecution, however, asked the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the statement, a request granted by the judge.
The court also heard arguments over an application seeking a review of Oloche’s bail conditions, which the defence described as too strict.
Justice Abdumaliki fixed July 8 for the commencement of the trial-within-trial and continuation of the main trial.*
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