EXCLUSIVE: Declare a state of emergency in Benue, Lawyer tells Tinubu 

Renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Sebastine Hon, has EXCLUSIVE: Declare a state of emergency in Benue, Lawyer tells Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu over what he described as the “escalating genocide” in Benue State, calling for the immediate declaration of a state of military emergency.

In a copy of the petition obtained exclusively by Pointblanknews.com, the fiery legal scholar did not mince words, alleging that the continued bloodbath in parts of the state points to a clear security collapse, military complicity, and executive complacency.

Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Prof. Hon urged President Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers to halt the carnage and restore order, particularly following fresh attacks on the Agan community in Makurdi, as well as multiple deadly incursions in Apa and Gwer-West Local Government Areas between May 29 and June 1, 2025.

“It is most imperative that a state of military emergency be declared by Mr. President in the state,” the SAN stated, warning that “both historical and empirical factors support this.”

Hon further demanded the removal and replacement of all military commanders in Benue, alleging gross dereliction of duty and, in some cases, collusion with the attackers.

“Even when Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo was attacked less than 500 meters from a military checkpoint, soldiers did nothing. They watched. He was left for dead,” Hon lamented.

He accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of gross insensitivity and detachment, noting that the governor dismissed the repeated attacks as mere “skirmishes” while appearing unconcerned about the plight of his people.

“Today marks four days since the attack on Agan, and our dear governor hasn’t consoled the victims, let alone visit the area. Instead, he was dancing around on podiums celebrating two years in office on that same day,” Hon said.

In his petition, Hon attached media reports and social media alerts detailing how coordinated attacks were announced online hours before they occurred, yet security operatives failed to act.

“If intelligence fails which I deny, what about the countless social media alerts that have proven accurate every single time?” he queried.

The senior lawyer also referenced a recent plenary statement by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who expressed shock over Governor Alia’s silence after over 50 people were killed in a single incident.

Several other stakeholders who spoke to Pointblanknews.com corroborated Hon’s alarm, painting a disturbing picture of state abandonment.

Rev. Fr. Michael Aondona, a Catholic priest in the Makurdi Diocese, said, “The Church has buried more parishioners in the last six months than we did during the civil war. Over 15 parishes are now closed due to attacks. We have lost both priests and worshippers.”

A youth leader in Gwer-West, Comrade Terhemba Anyebe, adds, “The attackers ride in broad daylight, armed, in convoys of motorcycles. How do they pass multiple military checkpoints without being seen? Benue has been left to bleed.”

Also speaking to Pointblanknews.com, a retired military intelligence officer, who declined to be named, said the Federal Government must act fast.

“When the perception of military collusion takes root, the people lose all hope. Redeployments and full surveillance must happen now, or the situation will spiral further.”

Dr. Rose Abah, Executive Director of the Benue Peace Initiative, told Pointblanknews, “This is beyond politics. When eminent leaders of the country are crying out, when priests are mourning the dead, and when communities are deserted, the federal government must stop pretending that all is well.”

As of the time of filing this report, all efforts by Pointblanknews.com to reach the State Commissioner for Information were unsuccessful.