The recent pardon granted by the Niger State Government to 11 individuals convicted of murdering seven members of the Gaba community in 2018 has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for justice.
On May 28, 2025, the state government announced the release of the convicts, who had been sentenced to death by hanging for their roles in the brutal killings that followed a violent land dispute between the Gaba and Amfani communities in Lavun Local Government Area. The government said the pardon was part of broader peace efforts and was approved under the governor’s constitutional powers, following a recommendation by the State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
According to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasiru Mu’azu, the clemency was intended to promote reconciliation and bring lasting peace between the two warring communities.
However, the move has been strongly condemned by the Gaba Development Association, whose chairman, Mr. Paul Gana, said the decision has reopened deep wounds and threatened the fragile trust in the justice system.
Speaking at a press conference in Minna, Gana appealed to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to reverse the pardon, saying, “This decision has brought pain to the families of the victims. Justice has not been served, and the government never consulted us before taking this step.”
Gana further stated that the Gaba community was not part of any reconciliation process, despite claims by the government that peace talks had taken place. “How can there be reconciliation without the victims’ families? This pardon only rewards violence and undermines the rule of law,” he said.
The original incident took place in 2018, when individuals from the Amfani community reportedly launched a deadly attack on Gaba village over a disputed piece of land. Seven people were killed, and two others severely injured. In February 2022, the Niger State High Court found 11 of the accused guilty of conspiracy and culpable homicide. Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar, in a detailed 779-page judgment, sentenced them to death by hanging. Fifteen others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Legal and civil society groups have since weighed in on the controversial pardon, questioning the use of the governor’s prerogative of mercy in cases involving such grave crimes. They argue that releasing those convicted of mass murder, without the input of the victims’ families, sends the wrong message and erodes public confidence in the justice system.
The development has reignited debate over how state governments handle communal conflicts and post-conflict justice. Some critics argue that peace built on political decisions without community inclusion cannot be sustained.
As tensions linger in the area, the Gaba Development Association has vowed to continue pressing for justice and accountability. “Peace cannot come without justice,” Gana said. “We are not against reconciliation, but it must include those who lost loved ones and suffered the most.”
The Niger State Government has not issued a further statement since the backlash began. Meanwhile, residents of the affected communities are calling for a more transparent and inclusive approach to conflict resolution and justice delivery.
This case has brought to the fore the challenges of balancing peacebuilding with the need for justice in Nigeria’s many fragile communities. As the controversy unfolds, many are watching to see whether the government will stand by its decision or revisit it in the interest of fairness and long-term peace.
