Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, (SAN), has called on the governors of Benue and Plateau states to immediately ban open grazing and prosecute suspects linked to violent attacks.
In a statement on Sunday expressing sympathy to the two states over incessant killings, Falana described the recent spate of attacks as “genocidal”.
He said, “It is unbelievable that the nation’s security forces have failed to defeat the ill-equipped gunmen terrorising unarmed people in Benue and Plateau states.
He noted that during the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, the northern and southern governors forums agreed to outlaw open grazing across the country.
Falana said the federal government adopted ranching to curb the violent clashes between herders and farmers by releasing N6.2 billion to the Katsina state government.
According to him, the call on other state governments to demand for the same amount and for the same purpose fell on deaf ears.
Falana lawyer commended the Benue and Plateau governments for establishing state security outfits, in line with the example set by the late Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor of Ondo.
“As a matter of urgency, the operatives of both security agencies should be well trained and well motivated to rout out the merchants of death operating in both states,” he said.
Falana said over 1,000 suspects were arrested between January and December 2024 by a combined team of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces in connection with killings, kidnappings, and other crimes in Plateau and Benue states.
He added that no less than 100 suspects have been arrested between January and March 2025.
Falana said, “We are, however, disturbed to note that most of the arrested suspects were briefly detained and released either conditionally or unconditionally,” he said.
“Hence, the killing and abduction of innocent persons have continued unabated.”
He urged the attorneys-general of Benue and Plateau to ensure that all suspected killers are prosecuted in line with the provisions of the penal codes applicable in their states.
“It is high time that open grazing was banned by the governments of Benue and Plateau states,” he said.
“Without any further delay, the federal government should establish ranches in Benue, Plateau, and other states and ban the movement of cattle in the Federal Capital Territory and all states of the Federation.”
