The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to urgently refer the ongoing violence and killings in Benue State to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation and possible prosecution.
In a letter dated 21 June 2025 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said that referring the situation to the ICC would help ensure justice for victims of human rights abuses, including killings, displacement, and destruction of communities in Benue.
SERAP’s call follows repeated attacks by suspected herders and armed groups, including recent killings in Yelewata and Dauda communities. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), at least 3,000 people were displaced in the latest attacks, while dozens were reportedly killed or injured.
Professor James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and traditional ruler of Benue, had earlier described the attacks as a “planned genocidal invasion” by herders and bandits.
SERAP believes that domestic efforts to bring justice have failed and that the ICC, which has the power to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, should take over the matter. The group stressed that accountability is crucial, whether the attackers are state actors or non-state actors.
The group also noted that under Article 14 of the Rome Statute, Nigeria—as a member of the ICC—has the legal power to refer such serious crimes to the court. SERAP said doing so would show Tinubu’s commitment to justice and could help stop further violence.
The letter reads in part: “Justice is not an optional extra. It is essential. A referral to the ICC would help protect human rights and hold those responsible for the killings in Benue to account.”
SERAP warned that if the government fails to act within seven days, it may ask other countries that have signed the Rome Statute to refer the case to the ICC.
The group added that countries like Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic have previously made similar referrals, and Nigeria should do the same to show it takes human rights seriously.
