2027: Hausa group petition ICC over recent killing in Nigeria

A prominent Hausa group has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged killings of its members across Nigeria.

The group, Coalition for Justice and Peace in Northern Nigeria (CJPNN), submitted the petition at The Hague earlier this week.

CJPNN accused unnamed political and security officials of orchestrating targeted attacks against Hausa communities in different parts of the country.

The petition demands a full investigation by the ICC into alleged human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

Leaders of the group allege that the killings have escalated between 2024 and 2025, particularly in conflict-prone regions.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday April 28, 2025, CJPNN Chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Dogo, said the victims deserve justice and global attention.

He accused federal and state authorities of failing to protect Hausa communities from what he described as “systematic elimination.”

“We have lost thousands of innocent lives while leaders pretend everything is normal,” Dogo stated at the press conference.

According to him, the violence includes mass killings, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and destruction of villages in the north.

The petition includes video evidence, photographs, and sworn affidavits from survivors and eyewitnesses documenting several atrocities.

Dogo said several petitions had been ignored by Nigerian authorities, prompting the group to seek international intervention.

He warned that continued silence could push affected communities into retaliatory violence, worsening Nigeria’s already fragile security situation.

“We appeal to the ICC to act urgently before more blood is shed unnecessarily,” he added during the briefing.

The International Criminal Court confirmed receiving the petition and promised to review it according to its procedures.

An ICC spokesperson said the court takes allegations of crimes against humanity very seriously and will conduct an initial assessment.

Human rights activists have supported the move, describing it as a necessary step toward holding perpetrators accountable.

Barrister Zainab Yusuf, a human rights lawyer, said local victims often lack access to justice within Nigeria’s legal system.

“The ICC offers hope for communities abandoned by their own government,” she said in an interview on Monday.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the petition across political and ethnic lines in Nigeria.

Some northern leaders praised CJPNN’s action, saying justice must be pursued through lawful and peaceful means.

However, some political figures accused the group of exaggerating the killings for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Minister of Information, Ahmed Musa, dismissed the allegations, insisting the government remains committed to protecting all citizens.

He described the petition as “unpatriotic” and warned against inciting ethnic hatred through false narratives.

Security analysts said Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation requires urgent reforms, stronger community engagement, and political will to address grievances.

As tensions rise, the international community is watching closely how Nigeria handles allegations of systematic violence.

Political analyst says the ICC’s decision could have significant political and diplomatic consequences for Nigeria ahead of 2027 elections.

The petition marks a major escalation in calls for international accountability for human rights violations inside Nigeria.

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