The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday admitted in evidence a report by the Department of State Services (DSS) detailing how some leaders in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State allegedly stockpiled grenades and ammunition for planned retaliatory attacks against Fulani cattle herders.
The development came weeks after the court commenced the trial of suspected members of Fulani and Idoma militias linked to the wave of ethnic violence in Benue State.
Among those earlier arraigned before the court on Tuesday, March 31, were Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi and Yakubu Adamu. They were part of nine suspected Fulani militia members charged with 57 counts bordering on terrorism and the alleged massacre of more than 100 persons in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Aside the DSS report, the court also admitted in evidence, grenades and a cache ammunition, as well as an audio-visual recording of the interrogation of one of the suspects.
The suspect, Silas Oloche, identified as an Agatu youth leader, is facing a 6-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
