Renowned human rights lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has issued a powerful call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging immediate and decisive action to end the escalating wave of violence and killings attributed to armed herdsmen across the country. Describing the current state of insecurity as a “national siege,” Ejiofor warns that Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads that threatens its unity and the safety of its citizens.
In a statement released to the media, Ejiofor condemned the continued attacks on rural communities, which have resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, displacement of families, and destruction of livelihoods. He criticized what he termed as “official silence and inaction” in the face of the persistent carnage, calling on the President to demonstrate leadership by deploying all available security resources to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“Nigeria cannot continue to operate as a lawless state. The lives of Nigerians – whether in the North Central, South East, or anywhere else – must be protected with the same urgency and commitment,” Ejiofor stated. “The ongoing killings by armed herdsmen are not only a gross violation of human rights but also a threat to our national cohesion.”
Ejiofor emphasized that the Federal Government must move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete strategies to dismantle the networks enabling these attacks. He also urged the international community and human rights organizations to take note of the deteriorating situation and pressure the Nigerian government into action.
The call comes amid renewed violence in parts of Benue, Plateau, and Enugu States, where communities have been ravaged by coordinated attacks believed to be carried out by armed herdsmen.
Ejiofor concluded by reminding the Tinubu administration that its foremost constitutional duty is the protection of lives and property, warning that history would not be kind to leaders who fail to act in times of crisis.