A group known as Democracy Vanguard of Nigerians in
Diaspora (DVND) has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) over an alleged
genocidal killings of some Nigerians in the last four years.
The non-governmental, non-profit and human rights
organisation, which is involved in a global network for the protection of
democratic processes around the world, and especially on the continent of
Africa, said it is constrained to write the ICC, drawing its attention to the
threat being posed to the Nigerian democracy and the continuing human rights
abuses.
In a letter addressed to the Special Prosecutor of
ICC titled: ‘Act of genocide and crimes against humanity in Nigeria’, the group
urged the international body to act promptly.
In the letter signed by the President of the group,
Timothy A. Sule, DVND said: "As a group, we are tired of the endless
carnage going on in Nigeria, and we feel very strongly that the government of
President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be exonerated from the ongoing continuous
pogrom against a people of a religion and ethnic configuration.
"As you already know Sir, Nigeria is a state party
to the Rome Statute, therefore, the ICC has jurisdiction over war crimes,
crimes against humanity and genocide committed on the territory of Nigeria or
by its nationals from July 1, 2002.
"Having concluded that some of the alleged
crimes committed in Nigeria fall within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the
ICC, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is vehemently urged to carry out independent
investigation of constant killings with a view to trying and punishing the
culprits."
The group wants ICC to as a matter of urgency set
up a committee to carry out relevant assessment and investigation of the contemporary
national security issues in conformity with the ICC principle of
complementarity.
It added: "Currently, rising conflict between
herders and farmers in Nigeria is already 10 times deadlier than Boko Haram
insurgency. This is certainly a cause for worry.
"The Nigerian Government has refused,
neglected, declined to stop the bloodshed; improve security, end impunity and
or even retire the military chiefs and or investigate them and all other
members of the Nigerian security services at all levels implicated in this
unconscionable unleashing of terror by the Nigerian army and police on the
citizens of the country as demanded by Nigerians of goodwill.
"We state once again that Nigerian lives are
sacred. No human is dispensable. Lives must be protected just as the dead who also
deserve respect after death with decent burial.”
While calling on the ICC to immediately stand up to
its sworn duty to the international community by investigating, arresting and
prosecuting the various entities involved in the crimes against humanity in
Nigeria, the group said Nigerians are tired of the unending terror.
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