Court Prosecutes Fulani Militia for Arms Possession

The Federal High Court in Abuja commenced the trial of suspects linked to the Fulani-Idoma militia involved in ethnic killings in Benue State. The Department of State Services (DSS) reported that certain Agatu leaders were allegedly stockpiling grenades and ammunition for retaliatory attacks against Fulani herders.

Nine members of the militia, including Ardo Lawal, Moham Dono, Ardo Muhammadu, Alhaji Haruna, Abdullahi Yakubu, and Adamu, were arraigned on 57 counts of terrorism following the massacre of 100 individuals in Yelwata, Guma LGA. The court admitted evidence including a DSS report, grenades, and audio-visual records from interrogations.

Sila Oloch, identified as an Agatu youth leader, faces six counts of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. He was arrested on August 2, 2025, with significant quantities of ammunition.

The defense counsel, Noah Imoni, objected to the admissibility of Oloch's extra-judicial statement, leading to a trial within a trial scheduled for July 8 to determine its voluntariness.