Rights activist and Lawyer Deji Adeyanju has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the arraignment of nine prime suspects linked to the recent killings in Benue and Plateau states.
In a statement on Thursday, Adeyanju described the development as a welcome step that offers hope to bereaved communities that justice will be served and victims will not be forgotten.
He, however, urged the federal government to extend the same level of urgency to tackling insecurity nationwide, particularly the persistent attacks by bandits across several states.
“This moment also serves as an opportunity to call for the protection of Nigerians who are killed daily by bandits all over the country,” Adeyanju said. “It is also important to speed up the process of either releasing innocent people in custody of security agencies or charging those with a case to answer to court. Citizens cannot continue to spend years in custody without charge.”
Adeyanju warned that prolonged detention without trial undermines the justice system and inflicts needless suffering on families of detainees.
“A reformed process that ensures timely investigation and prosecution will reinforce the credibility of our justice system and restore the confidence of the public in our institutions,” he added.
The DSS had earlier announced the arraignment of nine suspects believed to be linked to the spate of violence in Benue and Plateau, a move widely seen as a test of the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity.
