Serap in Tinubu, referring to Benue Killings a Ic

The project of socio-economic rights and responsibilities (Serap) invited President Bola Tinubu to urgently report the situation in Benue’s state to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the Court to exercise his jurisdiction on violence and illegal killings and other serious violations of international humanitarian violations and human rights in the State.

Next, Serap urged the president “to consider to report the situation of other recurring and ongoing violence and other serious violations of the international humanitarian law and human rights in other states of Nigeria or asking the ICC prosecutor to extend any current investigations to Nigeria to cover situations in such states”.

Professor James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and the Sovereign Paramount of the State had recently declared, according to what reported, “what we are dealing with here in Benue is a full -fledged, well -planned and large scale every year, would be remembered.

In the open letter of June 21, 2025 and signed by Deputy Director Serap, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Your government has the primary responsibility to guarantee responsibility, justice and repairs for these serious human rights crimes”.

Serap said: “By referring to the situation in Benue’s state to the EICC would contribute to reaching your express commitment to” hunting the authors of the attacks and making them to justice, delivering justice for the victims and restoring peace in the state “.”

According to Serap, “the responsibility for these brutal mass murders is urgently necessary, regardless of whether the authors are state actors or non -state actors or both”.

The letter, partly read: “The referral of 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 were committed in the state and to identify the most responsible”.

“Any reluctance to report the situation in Benue to the ICC would continue to encourage the authors: state actors and non -state actors to continue attacking the people of the State with impunity. Many of the responsible for these brutal attacks have continued to escape justice.”

“Given the alleged complicity of state actors in the situation in Benue and in other states that assist cases of serious violations of human rights and crimes pursuant to international law, domestic avenues have shown that they are insufficient and inadequate to achieve responsibility and justice to the victims and their families”.

“ICC jurisdiction extends to those who can be immune from national criminal actions, such as the highest political and military leadership that can be an accomplice of serious violations of human rights in Benue and elsewhere in the country, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Taraba and Bornio.”

“Pursuant to article 14 of the Rome Statute, Nigeria, being a state part of the Treaty, can direct the situation in Benue to the ICC prosecutor who asks him to open an investigation into the serious violations of human rights and crimes pursuant to international law that were committed in the state”.

“The reference of the situation in Benue to the ICC is a relatively simple process, since article 14 of the Rome Statute does not require any evidentiary burden on Nigeria. In the same way, any reference by the government will immediately require a positive obligation on the ICC prosecutor to open an investigation into the situation in Benue or to determine if there is a reasonable basis to do it.”

“The referral by your government of the situation in Benue at the ICC also means that the prosecutor would not need to seek the authorization of the preliminary chamber to open an investigation”.

“The AIC procurator would have access to eligible relevant tests on the situation in Benue who may not be easily available for Nigerian safety and law enforcement.”

“These serious violations of human rights and crimes pursuant to international law have afflicted Benue and many other states for too long, supporting the life of many Nigerians and leading to enormous displaces”.

“The Rome Statute of Rome offers your government a unique opportunity to remedy the persistent serious violations of human rights in Benue and elsewhere and to guarantee justice for victims”.

“Justice is not an optional extra. It is an absolutely essential prerequisite for claiming the rights of people. A refferral to the EIC at the end would strengthen the ability of the Nigeria’s domestic judicial system to prevent and face these human rights crimes.”

“Nigeria would not be the first country to direct cases to the ECT as countries such as Gabon, Mali, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) have previously referred to cases to the Eyg.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are adopted within seven days of the receipt and/or in the publication of this letter. If we have not listened to from then, Serap will consider requesting the parts of the States at the Statute of Rome to refer to the situation in Benue, encouraging them to follow the path of similar reporters by some parts of the States such as Venezuela.”

“By reporting the situation in Benue to the IC would demonstrate your commitment expressed to combat the crisis of human rights in the state and send a powerful message to those who commit these serious violations of international law and aid and to encourage or facilitate that they would have been brought to justice”.

“Your urgent reference of the situation in Benue to the ECB also reassures the victims and their families who would have received effective remedies and would improve the safety and protection of the human rights of the Nigerians in the state.”

“The ICC has the jurisdiction to investigate and pursue the most responsible for the commission of some international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The ICC Statute of Rome contains provisions for your government to direct the situation in Benue.”

“Serap notes your declaration that expresses concerns about the fact that the authors of these brutal attacks have not been arrested and your desire to ensure that” 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 were recently killed in an attack by armed men on the communities of Yelewata and Dauda in the state of Benue. According to the National Emergency Management Agency, at least 3,000 people were displaced by violent attacks”.

“According to reports, many people are missing while dozens are injured and left without adequate medical care. Many families were locked up and burned inside their bedrooms. Last month, at least 42 people were killed on firearm by suspicious pastors in a series of weekend attacks through the Gwer West district in the state of Benue.”

“Since 2019, according to what reported, the clashes have caused more than 500 lives in the region and forced 2.2 million to leave their homes. Serap observes that Nigeria is a state part of the Rome Statute and filed its ratification tool on September 27, 2001.”