Human rights lawyer and activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called for immediate and decisive government intervention to end what he describes as an “unchecked bloodbath” perpetrated by rampage herdsmen across several states in Nigeria.
Ejiofor condemned the wave of violence sweeping through communities from Plateau to Benue, Uzo Uwani in Enugu State, and parts of Delta State, warning that Nigeria is in the grips of a “grave national tragedy.”
He lamented the daily toll of innocent lives lost, describing the killings as “barbaric” and the government’s response as “complicit silence.”
“Each day, new casualty figures are reported by the media, reducing human lives to mere statistics, as though we were counting livestock,” Ejiofor stated in a statement issued on Tuesday and obtained by newsmen.
“Behind those numbers are mothers, fathers, children, and breadwinners.”
The most recent attack in Plateau State reportedly left at least 52 people dead, though local sources claim the real death toll is significantly higher.
Ejiofor condemned the federal and state governments for their lack of meaningful action, branding the repeated condemnations and promises as “hollow.”
He further criticised what he described as the devaluation of human life in Nigeria, adding, “It too often appears that the lives of cattle are valued more than those of human beings.
“This is a shameful indictment on our government and an affront to our shared humanity.”
Ejiofor issued a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu and state governors, urging them to fulfill their constitutional obligations to protect lives and property.
He emphasised that the security of citizens is not a privilege but a right, and called on all law enforcement and security agencies to act “decisively, without bias or hesitation.”
In his statement, Ejiofor also called on communities to lawfully safeguard themselves, acknowledging the growing mistrust in the state’s capacity to guarantee safety.
“The continuous slaughter of innocent Nigerians by marauding herdsmen and the government’s inertia in the face of this carnage is both condemnable and unacceptable,” he added.
“Enough must finally be enough—and must be seen to be so.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with escalating insecurity, Ejiofor’s call serves as a rallying cry for action amid growing outrage and despair.
His words underscore a critical moment in the nation’s struggle with internal violence and demand a response that goes beyond rhetoric to real, visible change.
