SERAP Asks Tinubu To Refer Benue Killings To ICC
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to refer the escalating violence in Benue State to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation.
In a letter dated June 21, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the president to allow the ICC to exercise jurisdiction over what it described as unlawful killings and grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The group also recommended extending the referral to other states such as Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Taraba, and Borno, which have witnessed similar atrocities. Alternatively, it asked the President to request the ICC Prosecutor to include these states in any ongoing investigations concerning Nigeria.
Professor James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and paramount ruler of Benue, described the crisis in the state as a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year.”
In the letter, SERAP stated, “Your government has a primary responsibility to ensure accountability and justice and reparations for these grave human rights crimes.
“Referring the situation in Benue state to the ICC would contribute to achieving your 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 further read, “The referral by your government of the situation in Benue to the ICC would bring the situation to the attention of the Prosecutor to determine whether human rights and international crimes have been committed in the state and to identify those most responsible.
“Any reluctance to refer the situation in Benue 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. Many of those responsible for these brutal attacks have continued to evade justice.
“Given the alleged complicity of state actors in the situation in Benue and other states witnessing cases of serious human rights violations and crimes under international law, domestic avenues have shown to be both insufficient and inadequate to achieve accountability and justice to the victims and their families.
“The ICC jurisdiction extends to those who may be immune from national prosecution, such as the highest political and military leadership that may be complicit in the grave human rights abuses in Benue and elsewhere in the country, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Taraba, and Borno states.
“Under Article 14 of the Rome Statute, Nigeria, being a state party to the treaty, can refer the situation in Benue to the ICC prosecutor requesting him to open an investigation into the serious human rights violations and crimes under international law that have been committed in the state.”
The organisation expressed hope that the recommended measures will be implemented within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider requesting the states parties to the Rome Statute to refer the situation in Benue to the ICC, encouraging them to follow the path of similar referrals by some states parties in cases such as Venezuela,” it said.
SERAP added, “SERAP notes your statement expressing concerns that perpetrators of these brutal attacks have not been arrested, and your desire to ensure that ‘the criminals are immediately arrested,’ because ‘the value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people.’
“According to our information, at least 100 people have been recently killed in an attack by gunmen on Yelewata and Dauda communities in Benue state. According to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, at least 3,000 people have been displaced by the violent attacks.
“Many people are reportedly missing while dozens are injured and left without adequate medical care. Many families were locked up and burnt inside their bedrooms.
“Last month, at least 42 people were shot dead by suspected herders in a series of weekend attacks across Gwer West district in Benue state.
“Since 2019, the clashes have reportedly claimed more than 500 lives in the region and forced 2.2 million to leave their homes. SERAP notes that Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute and deposited its instrument of ratification on 27 September 2001.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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