Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently refer the ongoing crisis in Benue State and other affected states to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The organization believes this action would demonstrate the President's commitment to addressing the severe human rights violations occurring in these regions.
In a letter dated June 21, 2025, signed by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization emphasized that the Nigerian government has a "primary responsibility to ensure accountability and justice and reparations for grave human rights crimes."
Call for International Intervention
SERAP argued that referring the situation to the ICC would help fulfill President Tinubu's expressed commitment to "hunt down the perpetrators of the attacks and bring them to justice, deliver justice for victims and restore peace in the state."
"Accountability for these brutal mass killings is urgently needed, regardless of whether the perpetrators are state-actors or non-state actors or both," the letter stated.
The organization warned that any reluctance to refer the Benue situation to the ICC would "continue to embolden perpetrators—state actors and non-state actors alike to continue to attack the people of the state with impunity."
Background of the Crisis
BenriNews recalls that during President Tinubu's visit to Benue State, Professor James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and the state's paramount ruler, described the attacks as a "calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits," noting that these attacks have been ongoing for decades.
SERAP highlighted that domestic avenues have proven "both insufficient and inadequate to achieve accountability and justice to the victims and their families," particularly given the alleged complicity of state actors in the situation.
The organization's call comes amid increasing concerns about the persistent violence in Benue State and the apparent inability of local authorities to effectively address the situation.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the presidency regarding SERAP's request.
Stay updated on this developing story by following BenriNews on our social media platforms:
