ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has called on the governments of Benue and Plateau states to immediately impose a ban on open grazing and prosecute individuals linked to violent crimes in the regions.
Falana made the urgent appeal on Sunday, April 13, 2025, expressing his deep concern over the persistent loss of lives in both states, which have been plagued by frequent violent attacks.
In a statement, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) condemned the recent wave of violence, which he described as “genocidal.”
He expressed disbelief that Nigeria’s security forces had failed to effectively address the threat posed by the armed assailants terrorizing unarmed citizens in Benue and Plateau.
“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,” Falana remarked.
He referenced the agreement reached during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, where governors from both northern and southern Nigeria agreed to outlaw open grazing nationwide, citing the federal government’s move to implement ranching as a means to reduce violent clashes between farmers and herders.
Falana noted that the federal government allocated N6.2 billion to the Katsina state government to establish ranches, but lamented that his calls for other states to follow suit were ignored.
While commending the Benue and Plateau state governments for creating their own security outfits, Falana highlighted concerns regarding the underfunding of these agencies, with allegations suggesting that they lacked adequate resources to effectively combat the violence.
“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 urged.
Falana also pointed out that over 1,000 suspects were arrested between January and December 2024 in connection with killings, kidnappings, and other criminal activities in Plateau and Benue.
However, he expressed concern over the release of many of these suspects without adequate prosecution, leading to continued violence.
“We are disturbed to note that most of the arrested suspects were briefly detained and released either conditionally or unconditionally. Hence, the killing and abduction of innocent persons have continued unabated,” he said.
Falana called for the attorneys-general of Benue and Plateau to ensure that all suspected killers face prosecution under the relevant penal codes in their states.
He further urged the immediate ban on open grazing in both states, stressing the importance of implementing ranching solutions nationwide.
He also called on the federal government to establish ranches in Benue, Plateau, and other states, while prohibiting the movement of cattle in the Federal Capital Territory and other regions across the country.
