Senate demands security offensive over Taraba killings - Punch Newspapers
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 armed 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 Senator Isa Shuaibu Lau during plenary on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over recurring attacks on rural communities and the rising death toll from the latest violence. Moving the motion, Lau expressed grave concern over the killing of innocent and defenceless civilians, warning that the persistent attacks had heightened fear, displaced residents and disrupted peaceful community life. He said, “The continued activities of armed bandits in rural communities undermined the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.”Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources 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. “We urge security agencies to establish additional security camps and intensify surveillance in the affected areas to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.” The lawmakers 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. Group to deploy over 4,000 observers, technology for 2027 elections Morning recap: States hold N264bn UBEC funds, FG’s N465bn transport plan, other top stories 2027: Reps summon INEC chair, ADC alleges postponement plot Beyond 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 reported death toll has risen amid differing accounts of the scale of the attack. While subsequent community reports put the number of fatalities at 50, the Senate cited about 80 deaths in its call for an intensified security operation across the affected border areas. 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. The gunmen were suspected to have crossed into Taraba from neighbouring Plateau State, raising concerns about the vulnerability of border communities and the need for coordinated security operations across state boundaries. The Senate’s intervention comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of the North-East and North-Central, where armed groups have continued to threaten rural settlements, disrupt livelihoods and expose residents to displacement and humanitarian hardship. The lawmakers’ call for additional security camps, intensified surveillance and emergency assistance is aimed at preventing further attacks while providing immediate support to affected communities. Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties
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