Falana, however, dismissed the directive as largely symbolic, citing a troubling pattern of unfulfilled promises. He pointed to several past incidents where arrests were made but never translated into justice.

“On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes. Yet, no convictions have been recorded,” he said.

The senior lawyer further listed the uncovering of an illegal firearms factory in January, and the recent apprehension of three kidnappers in June, all without meaningful prosecutions.

He also condemned Chief of Defence Staff General for accusing residents of describing the comment as “an attempt to shift blame onto the victims.”

Between January and June 2025 alone, Falana noted that dozens of suspects had been arrested, including 43 in the last ten days, yet “no significant prosecutions have been reported.”

“It is a shame that justice continues to elude victims and their families despite overwhelming evidence and confessions,” he said.