Taraba killings: Reps seek improved intelligence gathering

The House of Representatives has called for improved intelligence gathering and surveillance to prevent attacks on vulnerable communities, following the killing of scores of people in Binnari community, Taraba State.

This is even as the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, cited government figures indicating an 81 per cent decline in violent deaths since 2023.

The lawmakers made the call on Thursday during plenary while considering a motion of urgent public importance on the October 23 attack on traders and residents in Binnari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The motion, sponsored by Mohammed Audu, followed a recent attack by suspected bandits on people gathered at the community market. At least 10 people were reportedly shot dead, while several others plunged into a river in an attempt to escape, bringing the estimated death toll to between 57 and 60.

The incident renewed concerns among lawmakers over the ability of security agencies to prevent attacks, particularly in communities bordering forested areas across different states.

Presenting the motion, Audu said the attackers had exploited forest routes linking Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states to reach the affected communities, making coordinated security operations across the three states necessary.

“Mr Speaker, the attackers came through Dutsen Zaki under Compani Ward in Wase Local Government, Madam Forest Kukawa, all under Kanam Local Government still in Plateau State, and around Yankari Government Reserve, Gwana Mountain, in Alkaleri Local Government,” he said.

He said the locations shared boundaries with Amar, Didango, Andami and Bachama wards in Karim Lamido, warning that the terrain and movement routes required a joint security response rather than isolated operations by individual states.

Describing the attack as unprecedented in the history of Karim Lamido, Audu blamed poor road infrastructure for delays in security responses and urged the Federal Government to direct the Ministry of Works to complete the abandoned Wase-Karim Lamido road project.

He argued that better road access would enable security personnel to reach threatened communities more quickly and improve the response to emergencies.

The lawmaker further disclosed that suspected bandits returned on October 26 to neighbouring Gomben Dela community, where they allegedly looted food items and seized vehicles. Although no deaths were reported in the second incident, he said the repeated attacks demonstrated the urgency of government intervention.

Contributing to the debate, the Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, questioned the effectiveness of existing security measures, noting that attacks continued to result in deaths and destruction of property despite increased government spending.

“Day in, day out, city after city, we are constantly confronted with these issues of attacks on either a community or communities. And most of the time, several lives are lost, properties are massively destroyed by the assailants,” Agbedi said.

He argued that security operations should place greater emphasis on preventing attacks through modern surveillance systems, intelligence gathering and the use of technology to identify suspected perpetrators and track their movements.

Agbedi also questioned why security agencies often appeared unable to identify attackers after major incidents, despite substantial public expenditure on security equipment.

He urged the relevant committees of the House to strengthen oversight of security agencies and monitor the implementation of legislative resolutions, warning that inadequate budget implementation could undermine efforts to address insecurity.

Responding, Kalu said the National Assembly’s interventions had contributed to efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other security threats across the country.

“13,000 plus terrorists have been neutralised in the last year. Violent deaths are down by 81% since 2023,” the Deputy Speaker said.

He added that more than 124,000 fighters and their family members had surrendered since 2023, while over 104,000 people had been placed under the Multinational Joint Task Force’s Safe Corridor programme.

According to Kalu, the number of local government areas under insurgent control had fallen from 17 in 2022 to six, based on 2025 data, while more than 19,000 illegal weapons had been destroyed.

He also listed rising security expenditure, which he said increased from N2.98tn in 2023 to N3.25tn in 2024, N4.91tn in 2025 and N5.4tn in 2026.

Other measures cited by the Deputy Speaker included the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel and the expansion of electronic policing.

The figures were presented by Kalu in defence of the government’s ongoing security efforts, although lawmakers maintained that persistent attacks required more effective preventive measures and stronger coordination among security agencies.

The House, following the adoption of the motion, subsequently urged the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies operating in Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states.

It also called on the North East Development Commission, the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, alongside other humanitarian organisations, to provide relief materials to affected families and survivors.

The lawmakers commended Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, the relevant military commanders, the state Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department of State Services and other security agencies for their response to the incident.