Renowned rights lawyer urges immediate government action on rising insecurity
In a passionate call to action, prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged the Federal Government to put an end to the wave of killings and abductions sweeping across Nigeria — especially in the troubled states of Benue and Plateau.
Speaking through a strongly-worded statement on Monday, Falana described the ongoing violence as both “unacceptable” and “preventable.”
As the chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), he did not mince words in criticizing the government’s slow response to the repeated loss of innocent lives.
Commending Swift Action in Edo State
Falana, however, gave credit where it was due. He praised security agencies for their prompt response following the recent attack in Uromi, Edo State, where 16 people were killed. In a rare show of urgency, 14 suspects were quickly apprehended.
He also commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who visited Kano to console the grieving families alongside Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Okpebholo further pledged financial assistance to those affected — a gesture Falana said helped to de-escalate tensions and avoid retaliatory violence.
Why Not the Same Energy in Benue and Plateau?
Falana expressed frustration over the government’s inconsistent responses, pointing out that similar urgency hasn’t been shown in Benue and Plateau, where lives are lost almost daily to brutal attacks.
“The Federal Government has a constitutional duty to protect every Nigerian,” he emphasized. “It must rise to the occasion and bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.”
He called on the Attorneys-General of Edo, Benue, and Plateau States to immediately charge all suspects in custody to court, warning that any delays could lead to a collapse of law and order.
Security Exists — So Why the Gaps?
With security personnel visibly present across the nation — from city centers to remote towns — Falana questioned the seeming inability to prevent these tragedies.
“If we can deploy massive security during elections, we can certainly do the same to protect lives every day,” he said.
He stressed the importance of cooperation between citizens and security forces, urging state governments to promote community-based intelligence sharing to tackle crime more effectively.
“We Can’t Be Silent While Nigerians Are Slaughtered”
Falana’s statement reflects growing public anger over the state of insecurity in Nigeria. He insists that a people-focused, coordinated approach is urgently needed to restore peace.
“The government must earn the trust of the people,” he added. “We cannot afford to remain passive while our fellow citizens are killed or kidnapped daily.”
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