By Abubakar Yunusa
Senator Amb. Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the Sankera axis of Benue State.
The appeal follows repeated attacks by bandits and herdsmen that have left villages abandoned and tens of thousands displaced.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Prof. Hagher said the government must deploy sufficient, rights-respecting security forces to restore control of the territory.
He urged the creation of an Independent Judicial Peace and Reconciliation Commission to investigate atrocities, ensure accountability, and offer both retributive and restorative justice.
Prof. Hagher also called on the African Union and ECOWAS to carry out an independent fact-finding mission.
“The Sankera people have endured sustained violence, displacement, and destruction, constituting one of the most severe humanitarian crises in contemporary Africa,” he said.
He criticised the Benue State Government for seeking to rehabilitate bandits before ensuring displaced victims could return home safely.
“The recent request to accommodate terrorists normalises criminality and weaponises politics,” Prof. Hagher said.
The senator described his February 18 visit to Kasar, Katsina-Ala, as harrowing. He recounted charred villages, mass graves, and complete absence of life where vibrant communities once thrived.
Over a million people are now displaced across Benue, living in IDP camps or host communities. Schools and health facilities have been closed for years, leaving children vulnerable to forced marriages and recruitment into banditry.
Prof. Hagher warned that the destruction of Benue’s farming communities threatens regional food security.
“This is a war on farmers, a war on food, and ultimately a war on humanity,” he said.
He urged urgent intervention by the United Nations Human Rights Council and international humanitarian agencies to provide relief and secure the region.
