By Ene Linda Ajaka & Umar Adamu Nda
A renowned Nigerian Law Scholar, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, has called for a ceasefire in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, citing disrespect for international law and devastating humanitarian and economic costs.
In an opinion sent to *International News Monitor*, Professor Ladan revealed that according to the Live Tracker data as of 6am GMT, Sunday, 15th March 2026, the conflict has claimed 2,344 lives, including 13 US military personnel, 15 Israelis, 1,444 Iranians, 826 Lebanese, 27 Iraqis, 6 Kuwaitis, 2 Saudis, 2 Bahrainis, 6 Emiratis, and 3 Omanis.
He stated that the injured toll stands at approximately 25,000, with 3,138 Israelis, 3,138 Israelis, 150 US personnel, 18,551 Iranians, and others from Qatar, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.
He expressed concern that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarms about Iran’s collapsing health system, with over 1,800 killed and 12,500 injured in under two weeks, amidst growing concerns about regional destabilization.
He warned that global oil prices have surged over 40% in ten days, peaking above $100-$119 per barrel, triggering energy supply shocks and fuelling higher inflation, with one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) production taken offline due to escalating strikes.
He said the surge is fuelling inflation and suppressing growth, echoing 1970s-style stagflation warnings, particularly in Europe and Asia, and has forced a 47% cumulative increase in petrol prices in Nigeria over six weeks, with prices at the Dangote Refinery rising to 1,175 per liter.
He revealed that the conflict has disrupted global trade, with the Strait of Hormuz blockade halting marine traffic, and shipping surcharges skyrocketing, with containers from Asia to Europe increasing in cost, and emergency conflict surcharges reaching up to $4,000 per container for some carriers.
He noted that maritime war risk insurance premiums have increased by 50%, with some insurers withdrawing coverage for Iranian waters, the Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz, adding to logistics costs.
He regretted that India’s $50 billion Gulf remittances are at risk, threatening families’ financial security, and Iran’s economy faces over 10% GDP decline, compounding its economic crisis.
He stated that the conflict is accelerating shifts in energy dependency, potentially weakening global market integration, and causing lasting damage to regional food markets and fertilizer access.
He urged the international community to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent escalation, emphasizing that sustained diplomacy and pressure are essential for a ceasefire and civilian protection.
He called on the UN Security Council to take a more proactive role in resolving the conflict, regretting that the UN Security Council’s one-sided resolution on the conflict has been criticized for focusing exclusively on Iran’s retaliatory strikes while ignoring the preceding US-Israel air campaign.
He warned that the resolution could be interpreted by “bad-faith actors” as a “blessing” to continue aggression against Iran, potentially escalating the conflict further, and expressed concern about devastating civilian impacts, including women and children.
He called for an immediate ceasefire and return to diplomatic efforts, urging international support for humanitarian efforts to address affected populations’ needs, and emphasized accountability for human rights abuses and international law violations, concluding that peace is essential for regional stability and prosperity.