By Adamu Yusuf
Senate has expressed grave concern over the reported killing of about 80 civilians by armed bandits at
Birnari, Karim Lamido local government in Taraba State, calling for urgent security measures to prevent further attacks.
The motion of urgent national importance was moved by Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, representing Taraba North Senatorial District, who drew the attention of the Senate to the killings and their devastating impact on affected communities.
Presenting the motion, Senator Lau said the attacks had resulted in significant loss of lives, fear and displacement of residents, as well as disruption of peaceful community life.
He warned that continued attacks on rural communities undermined the constitutional responsibility of government to protect lives and property, adding that failure to address the situation urgently could lead to further loss of lives, destruction of property and increased humanitarian challenges.
The Senate acknowledged that protecting lives and property was a fundamental responsibility of government and stressed that no community should be left at the mercy of criminal groups.
Seconding the motion, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North Senatorial District, described it as timely and appropriate, noting that the protection of lives and property remained the primary responsibility of government.
Senator Monguno commended the initiative to bring the plight of the affected communities before the Senate and seek urgent intervention, expressing his support for all the prayers contained in the motion.
The Senate subsequently adopted the prayers, urging security agencies to deploy additional personnel and establish more security camps to strengthen surveillance around the borders of Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states.
The lawmakers also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide immediate relief materials to communities affected by the attacks.
The Senate further observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of those killed in the attacks.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
