Femi Falana Calls For Urgent Prosecution Of Suspects In Benue Killings To End Culture Of Impunity.
Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has issued a passionate plea for the immediate prosecution of suspects linked to the ongoing violence in Benue State, condemning what he describes as a “dangerous culture of impunity” that allows perpetrators of heinous crimes to evade justice. Speaking as the chair of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Falana expressed alarm over the repeated failure of authorities to hold accountable those responsible for deadly attacks in the state, despite numerous arrests by the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits.
Falana’s remarks follow a directive from President Bola Tinubu during a recent visit to Benue, where he ordered security agencies to arrest and prosecute those behind the spate of violent attacks. However, Falana highlighted that similar directives in the past have yielded little result, with arrests rarely leading to convictions. Citing official police data, he noted that on 30 December 2024, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, confirmed the arrest of 273 suspects linked to capital offences, alongside the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition. Yet, no significant prosecutions have followed.
“Despite the arrests, the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are treated like sacred cows,” Falana said, criticising the lack of action. He referenced a recent incident on 19 June, where three suspected kidnappers were apprehended by Community Volunteer Guards in Otukpo while attempting to flee with ransom money. Falana lamented that, like many other cases, no meaningful legal action has ensued.
The human rights lawyer called on Benue State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Fidelis Mnyim, to urgently initiate prosecutions against all suspects in custody. Quoting Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, Falana stressed that both state and federal authorities have a constitutional and moral obligation to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law. “The increasing wave of bloodletting in Benue cannot continue unchecked. Prosecution of arrested suspects is not just a legal requirement—it is a moral and constitutional imperative,” he stated.
Falana’s comments come amid growing public outrage over the escalating violence in Benue, particularly following the massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders on 14 June 2025. The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has also demanded justice for the victims, calling for the identification and prosecution of perpetrators under relevant sections of the Criminal Code and Penal Code to reinforce a zero-tolerance stance on impunity.
The violence in Benue, often linked to tensions between nomadic herders and farming communities over land and resources, has claimed numerous lives in recent months. In May, 42 people were killed in a series of attacks, while 56 fatalities were reported during the Easter period in April, according to media reports. Despite these alarming figures, there remains little evidence of effective justice measures, with many in the region accusing authorities of inaction.
Falana also addressed a controversial statement by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who suggested that local residents in Yelewata were sheltering attackers. The lawyer dismissed the claim, urging the authorities to focus on prosecuting those in custody rather than deflecting responsibility.
As public frustration mounts, Falana’s call for accountability has resonated widely, with many Nigerians taking to social media to demand stronger action from both state and federal governments. The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has similarly condemned the violence, describing it as a “genocide” and accusing the government of “deliberate inaction.” With Benue known as Nigeria’s “food basket,” the ongoing insecurity threatens not only lives but also the nation’s agricultural stability.
President Tinubu’s directive to security agencies has been met with cautious optimism, but Falana and other activists insist that words must be matched with action. “Justice must be served for the victims and the wider community,” Falana concluded, urging swift and decisive steps to end the cycle of violence and impunity in Benue State.