Justice for Benue: Group urges probe into military’s alleged atrocities

Executive Director, Global Rights Nigeria, Mrs Baiyewu

Amah-Ugbor Samuel Nnachi,
South-East Regional Editor

Rights group, Global Rights Nigeria, has urged a probe into the torture and eventual killing of Mr Ernest Owoicho by military officers in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, on Sunday.

Owoicho, a father of two, was allegedly tortured to death by men of the Nigerian military attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, a military unit set up to fight cultism and other crimes in the North Central Zone of the country.

Reacting on Wednesday, Global Rights Executive Director, Mrs. Abiodun Baiyewu, said the act was both extrajudicial and barbaric, calling for an investigation into the dastardly incident.

She said, “Global Rights strongly condemns the extrajudicial killing of Ernest Ochowechi Owoicho, a Nigerian father of two, who was tortured to death by yet-to-be-named officers of the Nigerian Military on April 5, 2025, at Ugbokpo, in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

The military officers who tortured and killed Ernest were identified as officers attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, a military campaign ostensibly aimed at protecting citizens in Nigeria’s North Central by combating cultism and kidnapping; instead, they deliberately and unlawfully executed a non-combatant civilian in direct violation of both Nigerian law and international human rights standards.

“No reason or warrant was given for Mr. Owoicho’s arrest. He was severely beaten and tortured publicly by the soldiers for two hours, till he succumbed to his wounds and died. His arrest was never documented, no charges were filed, no evidence was presented, and no court heard his case. Instead, the military served as accuser, judge, and executioner—an unconscionable role in a democracy.

“Section 33 of Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees the right to life, which can only be extinguished under the most exceptional legal circumstances. This killing also violates the Anti-Torture Act (2017) and Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture, both of which Nigeria ratified.

“In a democracy, due process must be respected in every step of the criminal justice process, ranging from arrest to sentencing. The Constitution offers robust protections to every citizen suspected of committing a crime, beginning with the principle of innocent until proven guilty. This is not optional. Extrajudicial killings like Ernest’s erode the rule of law and undermine public trust in institutions meant to protect them.”

She observed that the incident was a reminder of the negative outcomes of militarization of internal security.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers of militarizing internal security. While civil law enforcement agencies are not without their flaws, they at least operate within a legal framework designed to protect the rights of suspects. Soldiers are trained for combat, not for policing communities or investigating crimes.

“Mr. Owoicho is dead, but justice must be served. In light of this grave injustice, Global Rights demands the following:
A thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into Mr. Owoicho’s killing, with full participation of the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission, and relevant oversight bodies. The perpetrators must be held accountable,” she added.