As violent attacks continue to devastate communities across Benue State, legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on President Bola Tinubu to exercise his constitutional authority by declaring a state of emergency in the region.
Ejiofor, who also serves as legal counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), described the situation as a “relentless and gruesome massacre of innocent civilians,” and emphasized the urgency of federal intervention to restore law and order.
Referencing Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Ejiofor argued that the security situation in Benue meets the legal threshold for emergency powers.
“The constitution clearly permits the President to declare a state of emergency in situations involving the breakdown of public order or imminent threats to life and property,” he stated.
He further pointed out that Governor Hyacinth Alia himself recently admitted that the attackers may be foreign militias crossing into Nigeria through the Cameroon border—an alarming revelation that underscores the severity of the threat.
Ejiofor expressed concern over the Governor’s controversial absolution of Fulani herdsmen in connection with the violence. He warned that such political maneuvers could weaken national security coordination. “This is not the time for partisan appeasement or political theatre.The primary duty of any government is to safeguard its citizens and protect national sovereignty. By dismissing clear threats and exonerating known actors, the Benue State government risks undermining this mandate,” he said.
He went on to urge the Federal Government to immediately empower the security forces with full operational independence to launch decisive military operations aimed at identifying, isolating, and eliminating the insurgents wreaking havoc on rural communities.
“These unprovoked and persistent attacks on the aboriginal people of Yelwata and neighboring villages demand an urgent, coordinated national response,” Ejiofor insisted.
In a strongly worded critique of Governor Alia’s leadership, Ejiofor remarked that “as a former spiritual leader turned political officeholder, the Governor must now demonstrate constitutional fidelity, courage, and purposeful action.
Denial and deflection are not acceptable responses in times of crisis.” He added, “If the responsibilities of public office are too burdensome, perhaps a return to the pulpit would be more in line with his conscience and calling.”
He also condemned what he described as the dehumanization of Benue’s indigenous people, asserting that their only “crime” appears to be their ancestral connection to the land. “Their lives must not be reduced to expendable political tokens. The human cost of this violence cannot and should not be ignored,” he declared.
Ejiofor concluded his statement with a dire warning: “Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. History will judge harshly those who remained silent or complicit while a preventable genocide unfolded. The time for hollow rhetoric has passed. The time for decisive, constitutional action is now.”
The worsening crisis in Benue State has attracted international attention. The United Nations has acknowledged that it is closely monitoring the situation. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed this while speaking to reporters. “We’re monitoring the situation,” he said. “The Secretary-General condemns the killing of innocent civilians, including in Nigeria, and we hope that those responsible for this violence will be found and apprehended.”