Prof. Hagher Alleges Genocide In Sankera In Benue State, Calls For State Of Emergency
Iorfa Akpen
Worried by the grave humanitarian tragedy that has affected the people of Benue State since 2015, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency in the Sankera axis of Benue State and deploy sufficient, rights-respecting security forces to restore control of the territory.
At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, tagged ‘ _Exposing the Genocide in Benue State: The Sankera Holocaust’,_ Hagher decried the alarming scale of human loss and suffering across Benue, warning that the state, once a pillar of agricultural productivity and economic stability, is now descending into lawlessness and despair.
Sen. Amb. Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher addressed a press conference on February 26, shedding light on the humanitarian crisis in Benue State, Nigeria. Here’s a breakdown of his statement:
The senator highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict in Sankera, Benue State, where over 2,603 lives have been lost since 2015. The total land area occupied by Fulani herdsmen and bandits is estimated at 3580.11 square km, displacing over half a million people.
The scale of the genocide is undeniable, with Sankera, a chiefdom larger than Ebonyi, Imo, and Anambra States, being ravaged. The senator accused those in power of denying the existence of these crimes against humanity and sympathizing with terrorists.
He criticized the Benue State Government’s request to establish a rehabilitation centre for bandits without returning displaced victims to their homes or meting out justice. This, he said, normalizes criminality and weaponizes politics.
The senator shared his personal experience of visiting his ancestral home in Kasar, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, after years of being unable to do so. He described the eerie silence, empty villages, and decomposing corpses.
The situation is dire, with over a million people displaced, schools and health facilities closed, and children facing malnutrition and forced marriage. The senator called for international attention and action, citing the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.
He made several recommendations, including the safe return of displaced persons, declaration of a state of emergency, and establishment of an Independent Judicial Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
The senator concluded by appealing to humanity’s conscience, emphasizing that the world cannot normalize empty villages and orphaned farmland. His statement has sparked urgent calls for action and support.
