Senate demands more troops, security camps as bandits kill 80 in Taraba

From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The Senate has called for the immediate deployment of additional security personnel and the establishment of security camps along the borders of Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states following an attack by suspected bandits that reportedly claimed about 80 lives in Binari community, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The upper chamber also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide emergency relief materials to affected communities, amid growing concerns over persistent attacks, displacement of residents and the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Senator Isa Lau during plenary on Wednesday, drawing attention to the killings and the continued vulnerability of rural communities in his constituency to attacks by armed groups.

Lau told his colleagues that the latest attack had left scores of residents dead, forced others to flee their homes and heightened fears of further violence, warning that the absence of adequate security could expose more communities to similar attacks.

He lamented the persistent killings and destruction of property in rural settlements, insisting that the Federal Government and relevant security agencies must take urgent steps to protect residents and restore confidence in the affected communities.

The lawmaker warned that failure to strengthen security presence in the area could lead to further bloodshed, destruction of settlements and a worsening humanitarian crisis as displaced residents struggle to find safety and assistance.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno described the motion as timely, stressing that the protection of citizens remained the fundamental responsibility of government.

“The primary purpose of governance is to protect the lives and property of the people,” Monguno said, commending Lau for drawing the Senate’s attention to the plight of his constituents.

Following deliberations, the Senate urged security agencies to deploy additional personnel to the affected communities and establish security camps at strategic locations along the Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi borders to improve surveillance, strengthen rapid response and prevent further attacks.

The chamber also called on NEMA and NEDC to urgently provide relief materials and other humanitarian assistance to residents affected by the violence.