It is a mockery of our efforts to curb the activities of herdsmen who invade farmlands, destroy crops, and kill farmers. Up till today, we are still grappling with this problem
By Fatima Saka
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a state pardon to Sunday Jackson, a young farmer from Adamawa State, who has been sentenced to death by hanging.
The Supreme Court upheld the sentence on March 7, 2025, after Jackson was convicted of killing a Fulani herdsman, Ardo Bawuro, in what he claims was an act of self-defense.
In an exclusive interview in Abuja on Monday, Umeh condemned the ruling, calling it a “gross miscarriage of justice” and urging the President to intervene.
Self-Defense or Murder?
According to reports, Jackson was attacked on his farm by Bawuro, who allegedly stabbed him in the leg during an altercation. In an attempt to defend himself, Jackson managed to seize the knife and fatally stab his assailant.
Despite the circumstances, the Supreme Court ruled that Jackson had an opportunity to flee and, by failing to do so, committed murder. Umeh strongly disagreed with this reasoning:
“Where was he supposed to flee to? Who is to say he wouldn’t have been ambushed and killed elsewhere? The court’s decision is an injustice and sets a dangerous precedent.”
The Senator expressed his outrage over what he described as “judicial murder” and called on President Tinubu to prevent the execution, arguing that punishing Jackson would amount to “double jeopardy.”
The Larger Crisis: Herdsmen Attacks and the Need for Military Intervention
Umeh used the opportunity to highlight the broader security crisis in Nigeria, particularly the ongoing violence perpetrated by armed herdsmen. He noted that communities across states like Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Plateau have suffered relentless attacks, with little to no government intervention.
In response to a motion by Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West) regarding these attacks, Umeh pushed for the establishment of a permanent military base in Gwer-West, Benue State. He emphasized that mere moments of silence and relief materials for victims were insufficient solutions:
“The people need protection, not just condolences. If security forces do not act, these massacres will continue.”
Umeh recalled a 2018 massacre in Benue, where 19 worshippers, including priests and catechists, were slaughtered during morning mass. He lamented that, despite initial arrests, there has been no further action against the perpetrators.
“Since then, we have heard nothing about those responsible. If the military had been stationed there permanently, these killings would have stopped.”
Senate Unanimously Approves Military Base in Gwer-West
Following Umeh’s argument, the Senate unanimously approved his motion for a military base in Gwer-West to counter future attacks. He stressed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) must use his influence to ensure the resolution is enforced:
“The SGF is from that region. He must ensure that this military base is established to protect his people. Security of lives and property is the foremost duty of the government.”
Umeh warned that if killings continue despite military presence, the armed forces themselves may need to be investigated for complicity.
Final Plea for Justice
Returning to the case of Sunday Jackson, Umeh reiterated his plea to President Tinubu:
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“We cannot continue to criminalize self-defense while allowing killers to roam free. The Supreme Court’s ruling must not stand. The President must grant a state pardon before this injustice is carried out.”
The lawmaker urged Nigerians to speak out against the verdict, arguing that failure to do so would send a chilling message to farmers struggling to survive in the face of violent herdsmen invasions.
“This is not just about Sunday Jackson,” Umeh warned. “It is about every Nigerian farmer who fears for their life while working on their own land.”
