Refer to the killing of Benue to ICC, absorbing telling Tinubu

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Tinubu Ball President “to immediately refer the situation in the Benue state to the International Criminal Court (ICC) so that the court conducts jurisdiction of violence and murder that violates the law and other serious violations of international humanitarian laws and human rights laws in the country.”

The absorption also urged him “to consider referring to the situation of other repeated and sustainable violence and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in other countries in Nigeria or asking the ICC prosecutor to expand the current investigation of Nigeria to cover the situation in these countries.”

Professor James Ayatse, Tor Tiv and the most important rulers of the state have reportedly stated, “What we face here in Benue is a full -scale and well -planned and well -planned genocidal campaign for decades and deteriorating every year.”

In the letter dated June 21, 2025 and signed by the Deputy Director of Collawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Your government has the main responsibility to ensure accountability and justice and repair for this serious human rights crime.”

Shell said, “Referring to the situation in the state of Benue to ICC will contribute to achieve your commitment which was revealed to ‘hunt the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to court, provide justice for the victims and restore peace in that state.'”

According to absorption, “Accountability for Brutal Mass Murder is very much needed, regardless of whether the perpetrators are state actors or non-state actors or both.”

The letter was read in part: “The reference by your government about the situation in Benue to ICC will bring the situation to the attention of the prosecutor to determine whether human rights and international crimes have been carried out in the state and to identify those who are most responsible.

“Every reluctance to refer to the situation in Benue to the ICC will continue to dare to the state actors and non-state actors to continue to attack the countries of the country with impunity. Many of them are responsible for this brutal attack continue to avoid justice.

“Considering the alleged involvement of state actors in situations in benue and other countries that witness cases of serious human rights violations and crimes under international law, domestic paths have been proven inadequate and inadequate to achieve accountability and justice for victims and their families.

“ICC jurisdiction extends to those who may be immune from national prosecution, such as the highest political and military leadership that may be involved in human rights violations in Benue and other places in the country, including the states of Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Taraba and Borno.”

“The situation reference in Benue to ICC is a relatively easy process, because Article 14 of the Roman Law does not force the burden of proof on Nigeria. Likewise, any reference by the government will immediately impose positive obligations on the ICC prosecutor to open an investigation of the situation in the benue or to determine whether there is a reasonable basis for doing so.

“The reference by your government about the situation in Benue to ICC also means that the prosecutor does not need to look for the authorization of pre-house rooms to open an investigation.”

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“ICC prosecutors will have access to relevant acceptable evidence about the situation in the benue that may not be easily available for security and law enforcement agencies Nigeria.”

“This serious human rights violation and crime under international law have infected the benue and several other states too long, claimed the lives of many Nigerians and lead to large -magnitude.

“Statute ICC Rome gives your government a unique opportunity to improve persistent human rights violations in the benue and elsewhere and to ensure justice for the victims.”

“Justice is not optional. This is a very important prerequisite to justify the rights of the people. References to ICC will eventually strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian domestic justice system to prevent and overcome this human rights crime.”

“Nigeria will not be the first country to refer cases to ICC as countries such as Gabon, Mali, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic (CAR) previously referred to the ICC case.”

“We will be grateful if the recommended steps are taken within seven days from the receipt and/or the publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you at that time, absorbing will consider asking the states to the Roman law to refer to the situation in the ICC, encouraging them to follow the similar referral path by several countries in cases such as Venezuel.”

“Referring to the situation in Benue to the ICC will show your commitment that was revealed to fight the crisis of human rights in the state and send a strong message to those who committed the great violations of the law and international assistance and ignored or facilitated them that they would be brought to court.”

“Your urgent referral about the situation in Benue to ICC will also convince the victims and their families that they will receive effective solutions and improve the security and protection of human rights to the Nigerians in the state.”

“ICC has a jurisdiction to investigate and demand those who are most responsible for certain international crime commissions, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The ROMA Statute ICC contains provisions for your government to refer to the situation in the Benue to the court.”

“Absorption records your statement which expresses concerns that the perpetrators of these brutal attacks have not been captured, and your desire to ensure that ‘criminals are immediately arrested,’ because ‘the value of human life is greater than a cow. We are chosen to govern, not to bury people.'”

“According to our information, at least 100 new people were killed in attacks by armed people in the Yelewata and Dauda Community in the Benue state. According to the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency, at least 3,000 people have been moved by violence attacks.”

“Many people were reported missing when dozens were injured and left without adequate medical treatment. Many families were locked up and burned in their bedroom. Last month, at least 42 people were shot dead by allegations of shepherd in a series of weekend attacks throughout the Gweer West District at Benue State.”

“Since 2019, the clash has reportedly claimed more than 500 lives in the region and forced 2.2 million to leave their homes. Abnap noted that Nigeria was the state party of the Roman law and kept ratification instruments on September 27, 2001.”