Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has blasted the Federal and Benue State Governments for failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with ongoing violent attacks across Benue State. He recently shared that despite several suspects getting arrested over the years for different crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged for these serious offences.
Speaking via a press statement under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Falana described the president’s recent order to prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the state as doubtful.
According to him, previous arrests in the state have not led to any form of justice for victims, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers is way out of line.
The legal guru slammed Gen. Musa’s statement, describing it as a clear attempt to shift blame onto victims rather than tackle the blatant failures of security and governance.
“On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.
On January 17, 2024, Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.
On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area.
On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.
Between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days. Despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported,” it read.
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Falana further noted that it is very obvious that the authorities will continue treating suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows, and the perpetrators will see that as a sign to keep tormenting the people in the region.
Stressing that the right to life, written under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, means nothing unless the state acts quickly to punish those who violate it, Falana emphasised the need for those in power to be decisive.
He concluded by warning that unless proper action is taken, the prevalent culture of impunity will only lead to more bloodshed.
“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served,” he added.
