Northern Senators Seek Probe Into Killing Of 26 Taraba Worshippers

The Northern Senators Forum on Monday called for a thorough investigation into the killing of at least 26 people in Binari community, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, urging security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

The forum also demanded an urgent security reinforcement in the area, including the establishment of a Forward Operating Base and intelligence-led patrols along the Kompany-Asusar route and the River Benue corridor, following Friday’s attack by suspected bandits.

The victims included women, children, Muslim worshippers who had just finished Juma’at prayers and members of a local vigilante group whose office is located close to the mosque.

In a condolence message issued on behalf of the forum, its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, described the attack as barbaric and expressed sympathy with the Taraba State Government, residents of the community and families of the victims.

The statement, titled ‘Condolence Message on Binari Attack and a Call for Action’, said the lawmakers received the news of the killings with shock.

“On behalf of the Northern Senators Forum, we commiserate with His Excellency the Governor of Taraba State, the people of Taraba, and the bereaved families of Binari community in Karim-Lamido LGA over the barbaric attack of Friday 23rd October,” Yar’Adua said.

He added, “We received with shock the murder of innocent worshippers, vigilantes, women and children shortly after Juma’at prayers, and we share in your grief at this difficult time.”

The forum urged the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to strengthen security operations in Karim-Lamido and communities along the River Benue corridor.

It specifically called for the establishment of a Forward Operating Base and intelligence-driven patrols along the Kompany-Asusar route to improve surveillance and prevent further attacks.

The senators also called on the National Emergency Management Agency and well-meaning Nigerians to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to affected residents and families displaced or otherwise affected by the violence.

Beyond the immediate security response, the forum insisted that the perpetrators must be identified, apprehended and prosecuted.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the vulnerability of rural communities in parts of Taraba State, particularly settlements where residents depend on farming and have limited access to rapid security intervention.

Binari, an agrarian community along the River Benue, was thrown into mourning when the suspected bandits struck on Friday, shortly after Muslim residents had observed their weekly congregational prayers.

The proximity of the vigilante group’s office to the mosque also exposed local security volunteers to the assault, with members of the group reportedly among those killed.

Offering prayers for the victims, Yar’Adua asked Allah to forgive the dead, grant them Al-Jannah Firdaus, heal the injured and comfort grieving families.

“To the people of Binari, we pray that Allah (SWT) forgives the departed, grants them Al-Jannah Firdaus as martyrs, heals the injured, comforts the bereaved, and restores lasting peace to Taraba State and Nigeria. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un,” he said.

SOURCE: PUNCH