Fresh drama has erupted in the ongoing Benue killings case as shocking evidence, including grenades, live ammunition, and a controversial interrogation video, was officially accepted by a Federal High Court in Abuja in the trial involving suspected ethnic militias linked to deadly violence in Benue State.
The courtroom reportedly turned tense as prosecutors unveiled explosive details surrounding an alleged revenge mission connected to the long-running crisis between Agatu communities and Fulani cattle herders.
The case comes weeks after authorities began prosecuting suspected members of Fulani and Idoma militias accused of playing roles in violent attacks that reportedly claimed over 100 lives in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Among those standing trial are Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, and Yakubu Adamu, alongside other suspects facing multiple terrorism-related charges over the bloody killings.
But the latest courtroom twist has shifted major attention to an Agatu youth leader, Silas Oloche, who is facing separate allegations linked to illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.
According to testimony from a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, Oloche was allegedly arrested in Ogbasi, Agatu LGA, on August 2, 2025, while reportedly in possession of a disturbing cache of weapons, including 18 hand grenades, hundreds of rounds of military-grade ammunition, and several shotgun cartridges.
The DSS witness, identified only by the codename “XX,” told the court that after the arrest, Oloche was moved from the Benue State command to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for deeper investigation.
In another jaw-dropping revelation, the court reportedly watched a video recording of Oloche’s interrogation, where he allegedly spoke about years of deadly clashes between Agatu communities and Fulani herders.
In the recorded statement played openly in court, the youth leader allegedly described how tensions escalated over repeated attacks on farmlands and villages, claiming several peace meetings involving security agencies, government officials, and traditional rulers failed to end the violence.
He reportedly claimed that frustration grew within Agatu communities due to continued destruction of crops and repeated attacks, which allegedly pushed locals toward planning retaliation.
Oloche allegedly admitted in the video that money was raised by grieving villagers and displaced residents to purchase ammunition after reports surfaced of another possible attack.
However, he reportedly claimed their plans suffered setbacks due to a lack of sufficient firearms and ammunition before security operatives stepped in.
The drama intensified when prosecutors attempted to submit Oloche’s extra-judicial statement as evidence. But defence lawyer Noah Imoni quickly challenged the move, insisting the statement was not voluntarily obtained.
Following heated arguments from both sides, presiding judge Justice Joyce Abdulmaliki ordered a “trial-within-trial” to determine whether the statement was made willingly.
The court has now fixed July 8 for the continuation of proceedings as Nigerians anxiously await what many are already calling one of the most explosive Benue violence trials in recent times.
Leave a Reply