Killings: Senate seeks security camps in Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi

File Photo: Nigerian Senate

The Senate has called for an urgent security offensive in border communities across Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states, following reports that about 80 people were killed by bandits in Binnari community, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The lawmakers urged security agencies to establish additional security camps and intensify surveillance in the affected communities to prevent further attacks, protect vulnerable residents and restore peace to the troubled areas.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Isa Lau during plenary on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over recurring attacks on rural communities.

Moving the motion, Lau expressed grave concern over the killing of civilians, warning that the persistent attacks had heightened fear, displaced residents and disrupted peaceful community life.

He said, “The continued activities of bandits in rural communities undermine the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.”

The Senate warned that failure to address the recurring attacks could lead to further loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents and worsening humanitarian challenges.

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The lawmakers, in their contributions, stressed that no community should be left at the mercy of armed criminal groups, calling on security agencies to take decisive action against the perpetrators and prevent further bloodshed.

Aside from the security response, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency and the North-East Development Commission to urgently provide relief materials to communities affected by the attacks.

The lawmakers also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims.

The attack on Binnari occurred on Friday, October 23, shortly after Jumu’ah prayers, when gunmen reportedly invaded the community at about 3 pm, firing sporadically and looting food items from shops and residential houses.

The attackers were also reported to have set shops and motorcycles ablaze, triggering panic among residents and worsening the destruction in the community.