Anebi
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Law Professor, Chief Sebastine Hon, has sent a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking him to quickly declare a military state of emergency in Benue State amid the growing violence and killings happening in the state.
In a petition signed personally by him on Monday, Hon accused the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia of negligence, denial, and insensitivity toward the escalating insecurity ravaging communities in the state.
He cited recent attacks on communities including Agan (May 29), Naka, and Edikwu-Ankpali (June 1).
Prof. Hon noted that scores have been killed with no official government visit or condemnation.
He accused the governor of downplaying the crisis as mere skirmishes, and continuing with public celebrations amid reports of fresh killings.
“On May 29, 2025, Agan Community, right in Makurdi city, the state capital, was attacked in broad daylight. Today marks four days since then, and our dear governor has not deemed it fit to issue a statement consoling the victims, not to talk of visiting the bereaved families,” he said.
According to the SAN, military presence in the state has failed to deter the attackers, and in some cases, security personnel have allegedly stood by as violence occurred near checkpoints.
He also referenced the May 24 attack on Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo.
“The scene was just about 500 meters from a military checkpoint, but none of the soldiers at the checkpoint came to his rescue until the attackers left him for dead.”
He further expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of will on the part of the state government and urged the federal government to act.
He referenced past emergency declarations under Presidents Tafawa Balewa, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Goodluck Jonathan.
“On October 1, 1962 the first Republican Government of Tafawa Balewa declared a state of emergency in the Western Region of Nigeria, due to the seemingly ceaseless fatal crisis that rocked that Region, arising from the outcome of the 1962 census exercise.
“Also, on May 18, 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, following the loss of over 2000 lives, due to sectarian crisis between Muslims and Christians.
“On October 19, 2006, President Obasanjo, in a national broadcast, declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State, due to widespread political violence there.
“On December 31, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in some Local Government Areas in Borno and Plateau State, to stop the spiraling sectarian violence therein,” the statement read in part.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Prof. Hon also cited emergency proclamations made by American presidents to protect national security, including Donald Trump’s 2025 proclamation on border security.
“What President Trump described as justification for emergency intervention is precisely what is happening in Benue State,” he argued.
Prof. Hon called on the President to replace all military commanders in Benue State, including ground troops if necessary.
“The way and manner they are operating in the state is clearly unsatisfactory,” he said.
“Mr. President, Sir, the above excerpted contents of President Trump’s Emergency Proclamation 10886 represent what is currently happening in Benue State and even beyond. The sovereignty of Nigeria is under very serious risk! No situation is more fitting to declare a military state of emergency in Benue State! The time for you to act is now, Sir!,” he concluded.
Insecurity: Declare state of emergency in Benue – SAN urges Tinubu
