Court Admits DSS Report in Benue Arms Stockpiling Case

On March 31, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted a report from the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding alleged arms stockpiling by suspects in Benue State. The suspects, linked to ethnic violence, are accused of planning retaliatory attacks against Fulani cattle herders.

Among the nine suspects are Ardo Lawal, Moham Dono, Ardo Muhammadu, Said Alhaji, Haruna Abdullahi, and Yakubu Adamu, facing 57 counts related to terrorism and the massacre of 100 individuals in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area. The DSS presented evidence including grenades and ammunition found in possession of Sila Oloch, an identified youth leader from Agatu, who faces six counts of unlawful possession of firearms.

The court proceedings revealed that Oloch allegedly confessed to purchasing arms for N2 million and planned retaliatory actions against Fulani herders. Defense counsel Noah Imoni objected to the admissibility of Oloch's statement, arguing it was not voluntarily obtained.

The court ordered a trial within a trial to determine the statement's admissibility, with proceedings adjourned to July 8.