Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has accused the federal authorities of defending perpetrators of mass killings in Benue State by failing to prosecute suspects arrested over the previous a number of months.
Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Past (ASCAB), described the state of affairs as a harmful tradition of impunity, the place these chargeable for heinous crimes are handled like “sacred cows.”
His assertion follows President Bola Tinubu’s current directive to safety businesses throughout a go to to Benue, ordering the arrest and prosecution of these behind lethal assaults within the state.
Nonetheless, Falana stated earlier arrests haven’t led to significant authorized motion or convictions. He cited a number of situations the place suspects have been apprehended however no prosecutions adopted.
He recalled that on December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, confirmed the arrest of 273 suspects linked to capital offences, with the restoration of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition. But, no document of their arraignment has been made public.
Equally, on January 17, 2024, the Power Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, introduced the invention of an unlawful arms manufacturing facility within the state.
Two suspects, Friday Aduduakambe and Lorwashima Lornyume, have been arrested with weapons and fabrication instruments. Once more, no prosecution has adopted.
On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia reported the arrest of three suspected herders concerned in an assault that killed 11 individuals in Otobi, Otukpo LGA.
And simply days in the past, on June 19, neighborhood volunteer guards arrested three suspected kidnappers in Otukpo whereas fleeing with ransom cash.
Falana stated: “No fewer than 43 suspected killers have been arrested in simply the previous 10 days, a staggering determine that underscores the size of the disaster and the shortage of authorized penalties.”
He confused that the federal government’s failure to prosecute arrested suspects was undermining public belief and inspiring additional violence.
“The federal government can’t proceed to arrest suspected mass murderers with out prosecution. It sends the improper sign and erodes public confidence in justice,” he warned.
He referred to as on the Benue State Lawyer-Normal and Commissioner for Justice, Fidelis Mnyim, to urgently start the prosecution of suspects in custody, stressing that justice have to be served.
Falana additionally condemned current remarks by the Chief of Defence Employees, Normal Christopher Musa, who urged that residents in Yelwata have been shielding attackers. He described the remark as an unacceptable try and shift blame onto victims.
Quoting Part 33 of the Nigerian Structure, which ensures the correct to life, Falana stated each state and federal authorities are duty-bound to guard residents and uphold the legislation.
“The rising wave of bloodletting in Benue can’t proceed unchecked. Prosecution of arrested suspects isn’t just a authorized requirement — it’s a ethical and constitutional obligation,” he acknowledged.