by Abu Ismail
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday heard startling testimony from a witness of the Department of State Services (DSS), who alleged that grenades and several rounds of live ammunition were recovered from Benue community youth leader, Silas Oloche, during an operation in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
The witness, whose identity was concealed for security reasons, told the court that Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi community, 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 shotgun cartridges.
According to the DSS operative, the suspect was later transferred from the Benue State Command to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for further investigation. The prosecution informed the court that Oloche is currently facing a six-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
During proceedings before Justice Ekerete Akpan, the court was shown an audio-visual recording in which Oloche allegedly admitted mobilising funds to purchase ammunition following recurring attacks on Agatu communities by suspected Fulani herders.
In the video played before the court, the Benue youth leader reportedly narrated how violent clashes in the area, dating back to 2013, pushed members of the community into considering retaliation after repeated appeals to authorities allegedly failed to yield results.
Oloche allegedly stated that displaced villagers and grieving families contributed money used to acquire the ammunition. He also reportedly confessed that the community intended to obtain firearms before DSS operatives intervened and arrested him.
The DSS witness further told the court that Oloche was interviewed in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and allegedly confessed to purchasing the ammunition from an individual identified only as “Chocho” for over N2 million.
However, defence counsel Noah Imoni challenged the admissibility of the defendant’s written statement, arguing that it was not voluntarily obtained. The defence alleged that Oloche was tortured and traumatised during interrogation.
Following the objection, Justice Akpan ordered a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement was voluntarily made. The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 8 for continuation of proceedings and ruling on an application seeking variation of the defendant’s bail conditions.