End Killings in Plateau, Benue, Falana Charges Tinubu, Blames Failure to Enforce Grazing Ban for Attacks

Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Nigerian military and police to restore peace in Plateau and Benue States, where communities continue to suffer deadly attacks from armed herders and gunmen.

In a recent statement, Falana expressed frustration over the federal and state governments’ failure to implement the ban on open grazing an agreement reached by both the Northern and Southern Governors’ Forums in 2021.

He also reminded Nigerians that in 2022, the federal government officially adopted ranching as a solution to the persistent farmer-herder clashes, yet meaningful enforcement has not followed.

According to Falana, this neglect has led to the needless deaths of hundreds of Nigerians in rural communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.

“Because of the failure of the federal government and the 36 state governments to implement the ban on open grazing, hundreds of people have been killed by armed herders and other gunmen,” he stated.

He urged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to order the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos and the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4 to act decisively to restore law and order in the affected regions.

This is not the first time Falana has spoken out on the issue. As far back as 2018, he had warned that unless the federal government took proactive steps to regulate open grazing and address the root causes of land-based conflicts, the nation would continue to witness bloodshed in rural areas. His warnings came in the wake of deadly attacks in Benue State that year, which sparked national outrage.

Falana has consistently argued that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life and property and that government inaction in the face of mass killings amounts to dereliction of constitutional duty.

Over the years, he has urged both state and federal lawmakers to adopt clear legislative measures supporting ranching while providing compensation and relocation options for pastoralists to reduce resistance.

Despite mounting casualties and displacement, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the North Central region, the implementation of these policies remains largely symbolic. Analysts and civil society groups have echoed Falana’s concern, warning that unless urgent action is taken, the insecurity in these areas could escalate further.