By: Daure David, Political Correspondence
In a bold move that could reshape international attention on Nigeria’s internal security crisis, the Hausa Native Advancement and Development Initiative has submitted a formal petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging systematic crimes against humanity targeting the Hausa ethnic group across Northern Nigeria.
Loading ...The petition, addressed to the ICC Prosecutor in The Hague, outlines what the group describes as a “calculated, ethnically targeted campaign” of violence perpetrated by armed Fulani militias. According to the letter, Hausa communities have endured years of brutal attacks involving mass killings, abductions, and the destruction of entire villages. The group claims these atrocities amount to ethnic cleansing and possibly genocide.
The petition includes what it calls “irrefutable evidence,” such as photographs of mass graves, video footage of burning settlements, and sworn testimonies from survivors and humanitarian observers.
The group further alleges that elements within the Nigerian government have failed to protect Hausa communities and, in some cases, actively obstructed justice. It accuses influential Fulani elites and religious leaders of using their platforms to normalize the violence and shield perpetrators from accountability.
Security forces, the petition claims, have been withdrawn from vulnerable areas or ordered to stand down, allowing attackers to operate with impunity.
Calls for International Action The petition urges the ICC to: Launch a preliminary examination into the situation in Northern Nigeria. Investigate the role of state actors and Fulani elites in enabling the violence. Classify the atrocities as crimes against humanity and potential genocide.Hold perpetrators accountable under international law.
Recommend reparations and restitution for victims and displaced communities.
“This is not just a regional issue it is a matter of global human rights,” the petition reads. “When an ethnic group is targeted, displaced, and dehumanized without consequences, the entire world order based on justice and dignity begins to crumble.”
The group calls on the international community to break its silence and stand with the Hausa people in their pursuit of peace, dignity, and justice.
The ICC has confirmed receipt of the petition and stated that it will conduct an initial assessment in line with its procedures. Human rights advocates have welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step toward accountability.
However, some government officials have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, warning against inciting ethnic tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
