The mass slaughter, the mass murder, and the atrocities in Amagu, Amaokwe, and Umunesha villages in the Nkalaha community of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State is nothing short of genocide; it's a horrific and indefensible act of violence. The gruesome killings of innocent citizens by suspected armed herdsmen constitute a blatant violation of fundamental human rights, an affront to the rule of law, and a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. The rising death toll, now at 15, with many more unaccounted for, affirms the urgency for decisive security interventions.
The Nigerian Constitution, in Section 14(2)(b), unequivocally states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. The Constitution further guarantees, under Section 33, the right to life—a right that has been brutally stripped from the victims of this senseless attack. Additionally, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 criminalizes acts of violence that endanger lives, disrupt public order, and instill fear in communities. The deliberate and systematic targeting of farmers and native landowners by armed herdsmen fits squarely within the ambit of terrorism and must be prosecuted as such.
The Ebonyi State Government, through Deputy Governor Princess Patricia Obila, has rightfully condemned this act and ordered security agencies to fish out the perpetrators within 24 hours. However, beyond rhetoric, the state must demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to justice by ensuring the immediate apprehension, prosecution, and punishment of those responsible.
The ongoing tensions between Fulani pastoralists and indigenous farmers in various parts of Nigeria have long been a subject of concern. The migration of herdsmen due to desertification in the North has led to fierce competition over land and resources, resulting in violent clashes. However, no justification—whether economic, social, or historical—can excuse the premeditated slaughter of innocent civilians. The failure of successive governments to address this issue through robust legal, economic, and security measures has emboldened these criminals and led to recurring bloodshed.
The traditional ruler of Nkalaha, Igwe Thompson Ebe, has noted that this crisis has persisted since January 20, 2025, and that multiple efforts have been made to mediate between the herdsmen and the Agila community of Benue State. However, mediation without enforcement of the law is futile. When criminals act with impunity, believing that the state lacks the will to prosecute them, violence becomes cyclical and self-perpetuating.
The images of lifeless bodies lying in pools of blood are a damning indictment of the state's failure to prevent this massacre. This atrocity cannot be swept under the rug as has been the case in previous instances of herdsmen attacks. The rule of law demands that the perpetrators of this crime be identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay. Security agencies must move swiftly to fulfill their constitutional duty and bring the killers to justice.
Furthermore, this tragedy reignites the urgent need for ranching policies to regulate cattle rearing and prevent future clashes. A nation governed by laws cannot afford to allow unchecked nomadic grazing to continue disrupting communities and claiming lives.
The Ebonyi State Government has called for three days of fasting and prayer, a spiritual intervention that may bring solace to the grieving community. However, beyond prayers, concrete legal and policy actions must follow. Justice must be served, not just for the dead, but for the living who continue to live in fear of the next attack.
It is time for the Nigerian state to uphold its constitutional mandate and ensure that no citizen, regardless of their location, lives under the terror of armed herdsmen. Anything less is a betrayal of the social contract and a grievous miscarriage of justice.
Daniel Okonkwo for Profile International Human Rights Advocate.
 |
Comments