The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the rising wave of violence and killings in Benue and Plateau States, warning that if not urgently addressed, the situation could escalate into a full-blown human rights crisis.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, in a statement, decried the loss of lives, displacement of residents, and destruction of property resulting from the ongoing attacks, which he said have left many communities in trauma and despair.
“The right to life is a fundamental human right enshrined in both international and national human rights instruments,” Ojukwu emphasized, noting that the attacks—largely linked to farmer-herder clashes—are increasingly taking on ethnic, religious, and communal dimensions.
He warned that these developments, if left unchecked, could aggravate tensions and result in widespread violations of human rights, especially as the violence coincides with the rainy season—crucial for farming activities in the country.
“The insecurity in food-producing regions like Benue, the nation’s food basket, portends grave implications for national food security,” he said. “Trillions of naira in agricultural investments are at risk due to persistent insecurity and the apparent lack of political will to address the menace.”
Ojukwu called on government at all levels to urgently implement security and humanitarian interventions, as provided under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
He outlined key government responsibilities, including:
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Deployment of adequate security personnel to protect lives and property.
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Thorough investigation and prosecution of perpetrators to ensure justice.
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Provision of support to vulnerable groups—especially women, children, and the elderly.
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Genuine efforts to address root causes of violence such as poverty, inequality, and exclusion.
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Promotion of dialogue and reconciliation among communities.
He also urged security forces to uphold international human rights standards, particularly in the use of force and treatment of civilians.
Calling for collaboration, Ojukwu appealed to community leaders, political office holders, civil society organizations, and the media to play active roles in promoting peace and tolerance.
“The NHRC recognizes the crucial role of these stakeholders in fostering human rights and preventing further violence,” he said, adding that perpetrators must be held accountable through public investigations, restitution, and compensation for victims and their families.
The Commission, he assured, will continue to monitor the situation and engage authorities to uphold human rights protections. He further renewed calls for a national civilian protection policy and the adoption of ranching to stem recurring violence tied to herder-farmer conflicts.
