A non-governmental organization, the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC), has said it would drag those alleged to be the masterminds of the protracted herdsmen and farmers clashes in Nigeria to the International Criminal Court, ICC.
SHAC expressed dismay over the endless clashes between herders and farmers, stressing that it has led to loss of lives and properties worth millions of naira in some parts of the country are political sponsored.
Executive Director of SHAC, Adams Odoh Esq, in statement
on Monday claimed that there are overwhelming facts to show that some individuals and organizations are behind the clandestine attacks.
Odoh stated that, “This act and rampage of impunity must be stopped in the interest of the continued existence of Nigeria and by extension the African continent because of the strategic role Nigeria plays in the political and economic stabilisation of the African continent.
“We are also appalled that despite overwhelming pieces of evidence that points to specific individuals and organizations, nothing has been done to bring them to face the full wrath of the law.
“While it is worrisome to state that these heinous acts has resulted in the loss of lives, and destruction of properties, international human rights watchdogs and persecutors such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have not acted in the interest of the human race despite the series of petitions that has been submitted to it. This is very sad,” Odogwu declared.
“As a first, the ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
“The question we therefore seek to ask the ICC is whether acts deliberately committed as part of an attack aimed at a specific sect of the population can be considered as a crime against humanity? And if yes, why hasn’t the ICC deemed it pertinent to commence prosecution of these individuals and organisations?
“Does Nigeria not fall under its jurisdiction? Some of these questions we demand answers to in the interest of peace and stability.
“Having stated the above, we are in unequivocal terms requesting for an immediate investigation on the sponsors of politically motivated killings in Nigeria, and also scrutiny of the various petitions that have been submitted to the ICC in recent times.
“As a background, we are aware that petitions have been lodged against some governors who have instigated attacked aimed at a specific sect of the population in their states, the group stated.
SHAC lamented that some individuals and organisations have taken the laws into their hands by inciting political violence in innocent and harmless Nigerian citizens.
We are inundated with overwhelming evidence that suggests that the spate of killings under the guise of herdsmen’s/farmers conflict, are indeed politically motivated.
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