A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and constitutional law expert, Chief Sebastine Hon, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently declare a military state of emergency in Benue State, citing escalating violence and the state government’s alleged inaction.
In a petition personally signed on Monday, Hon accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of negligence, denial, and insensitivity in the face of worsening security challenges plaguing communities across the state.
He referenced recent deadly attacks, including those in Agan (May 29), Naka, and Edikwu-Ankpali (June 1), noting that dozens of lives have been lost without any official visit or public condemnation from the state government.
“On May 29, 2025, Agan Community—located in Makurdi, the state capital—was brazenly attacked in broad daylight. Four days have passed, yet the governor has neither visited the affected families nor issued a condolence statement,” he lamented.
According to the SAN, security forces have failed to effectively deter the attackers. He alleged that in some instances, military personnel stood by as violence unfolded near their checkpoints. He cited the May 24 attack on Reverend Father Solomon Atongo, which reportedly occurred just 500 meters from a military checkpoint, with no intervention until after the attackers had fled.
Hon expressed deep frustration over what he described as a lack of political will and urgency by the state government, and called on the federal government to intervene decisively.
He pointed to historical precedents, including the declaration of states of emergency by past Nigerian leaders during times of serious internal unrest. These include:
- The 1962 state of emergency in the Western Region declared by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa due to post-census crises.
- The 2004 emergency declared by President Olusegun Obasanjo in Plateau State following the death of over 2,000 people in sectarian violence.
- The 2006 emergency in Ekiti State due to intense political conflict.
- The 2011 emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in parts of Borno and Plateau States amid rising insurgency.
Drawing parallels with international examples, Prof. Hon also referenced emergency proclamations in the United States, particularly former President Donald Trump’s 2025 proclamation on border security, which he said mirrors the current situation in Benue.
“What President Trump cited as a basis for emergency intervention is exactly what is happening in Benue State,” he argued.
He also called for the immediate replacement of all military commanders stationed in Benue, saying their current strategies have failed to restore order.
“The way and manner the military is operating in the state is clearly unsatisfactory. Mr. President, the sovereignty of Nigeria is under serious threat. There is no better time to declare a military state of emergency in Benue than now,” he stated.
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