Group Has Claimed Responsibility For Plateau Massacre, Arrest Them Now Or Face Charges At Hague, Falana Tells Plateau Governor

Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana(SAN) has asked Plateau State Governor, SImon Lalong to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the murder of over 86 people in Razak, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashi District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State or face charges himself before the International Criminal Court for “condoning crimes against humanity and genocide.”

Falana said this in a statement on Tuesday.

The Lagos based activist said “Since a group has already claimed responsibility for the heinous crime, we are compelled to request Your Excellency to use your good offices to order the Police to arrest and investigate the suspects.

Should the government fail to take appropriate action to stop the killings in Plateau “we shall not hesitate to report the authorities of the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to the Special Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for condoning crimes against humanity and genocide,” he added.

Falana said: “We wish to sympathise with the government and people of Plateau over the reckless and cold murder of 86 unarmed people in Razak, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashi District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.

“While appreciating the measures adopted by Your Excellency to restore law and order in the affected local government, it is high time that the brazen impunity of the serial murderers in Plateau State was challenged by the state government.

“Otherwise, the reckless killing of unarmed citizens by criminal gangs will continue unabated.

“Since a group has already claimed responsibility for the heinous crime, we are compelled to request Your Excellency to use your good offices to order the Police to arrest and investigate the suspects.

“At the end of the investigation, the Attorney-General of Plateau State should be directed to prosecute the suspects for conspiracy and culpable homicide.”

On Monday, the cattle rearers’ group, Miyetti Allah, said that Saturday’s mass killing of at least 86 people, who were attending a funeral event in Plateau State, was an act of revenge.

The chairman the north central chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Danladi Ciroma, said in a statement.