The Northern Senators Forum has called for a comprehensive investigation into the killing of at least 26 people in Binari community, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, urging security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those behind the attack.
The forum also demanded an immediate increase in security presence in the area, including the establishment of a Forward Operating Base and intelligence-driven patrols along the Kompany-Asusar route and the River Benue corridor, following Friday’s attack by suspected bandits.
Among those killed were women, children, Muslim worshippers who had just concluded their Juma’at prayers and members of a local vigilante group whose office is situated near the mosque.
In a condolence statement issued on behalf of the forum, its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, condemned the killings and expressed sympathy with the Taraba State Government, residents of Binari and the bereaved families.
Titled ‘Condolence Message on Binari Attack and a Call for Action’, the statement said the lawmakers received the news of the incident 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 called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to intensify security operations in Karim-Lamido and neighbouring communities along the River Benue corridor.
It stressed the need for a Forward Operating Base and intelligence-led patrols along the Kompany-Asusar route to improve surveillance and prevent further attacks.
The senators also appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency and well-meaning Nigerians to provide urgent humanitarian support to residents affected by the violence, including families displaced by the attack.
They further insisted that security agencies must identify, arrest and prosecute everyone involved in the killings.
The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of rural communities in parts of Taraba State, where residents, many of whom depend on farming for their livelihoods, face challenges accessing swift security intervention.
Binari, an agrarian settlement along the River Benue, was thrown into mourning after the suspected bandits attacked on Friday, shortly after Muslim residents completed their weekly congregational prayers.
The location of the local vigilante group’s office close to the mosque also left security volunteers exposed during the assault, with members of the group reportedly among the victims.
Praying for the deceased, Yar’Adua asked Allah to forgive them, grant them Al-Jannah Firdaus, heal those injured and comfort the bereaved.
“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.
