The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently refer to the ongoing violence and human rights violations in Benue State to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The organization made the appeal in a letter dated June 21, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP is asking the President to activate Article 14 of the Rome Statute, which allows Nigeria—as a state party—to refer the situation to the ICC Prosecutor for investigation into alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible acts of genocide. The group is also urging the government to consider similar action for other states affected by recurring violence and serious human rights violations, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Taraba, and Borno.

The call comes amid renewed concerns over escalating violence in Benue State. The Tor Tiv and paramount ruler of the state, Professor James Ayatse, was recently quoted as describing the situation as “a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits,” which he said has worsened over the years.

According to SERAP, referring the situation to the ICC would demonstrate the President’s commitment to justice, support victims’ rights, and help end impunity for perpetrators. “Your government has a primary responsibility to ensure accountability, justice, and reparations for these grave human rights crimes,” the letter stated.

SERAP stressed that such a referral would immediately trigger a duty on the part of the ICC Prosecutor to begin investigations or assess whether a reasonable basis exists to do so—without the need for Pre-Trial Chamber authorization. The organization noted that domestic mechanisms have so far proven inadequate to deliver justice, especially given allegations of complicity by state actors.

The human rights group warned that continued inaction would embolden both state and non-state perpetrators. “Many of those responsible for these brutal attacks have continued to evade justice,” SERAP said, adding that ICC intervention could help prevent further atrocities and bolster Nigeria’s domestic justice system.

The letter further cited alarming statistics: at least 100 people were recently killed in Yelewata and Dauda communities, with over 3,000 displaced, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Last month, 42 people were reportedly shot dead in Gwer West district in similar attacks. Since 2019, more than 500 lives have reportedly been lost in the region, with 2.2 million people displaced.

SERAP reminded President Tinubu of his own remarks condemning the killings and his stated resolve to arrest the perpetrators. “We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” the President had said.

Highlighting past referrals by countries such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, SERAP emphasized that Nigeria would not be alone in seeking ICC intervention.

The organization requested that action be taken within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter. If not, it warned, it would explore the option of urging other state parties to the Rome Statute to refer the Benue situation to the ICC—following precedents set in other global human rights crises.