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Insecurity: Senate Seeks More Security Camps Along Taraba-Plateau Border
By Bashir Meyere,Abuja
The Senate has appealed to security agencies to urgently deploy additional security camps to increase surveillance along the border between Taraba and Plateau states and curb the menace of armed bandits in the area.
This was one of the prayers of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, representing Taraba North, on the need to address the recent security challenges in the area.
Presenting the motion during Wednesday’s plenary, Senator Lau expressed grave concern over reports of the killing of innocent and defenceless civilians by armed bandits in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, resulting in the loss of about 80 lives.
He said the death toll continued to rise beyond the initial figure of 80, while many residents had been displaced and the killings had disrupted the peaceful coexistence of communities in the area.
Senator Lau also observed that the continued threat posed by armed bandits to rural communities undermined the constitutional responsibility of government to protect lives and property and guarantee the safety of all citizens.
The senator expressed concern that the recurrence of violent attacks in Binari and surrounding communities, if not urgently addressed, could lead to further loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents and increased humanitarian challenges.
The Senate, however, urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to urgently provide the necessary relief materials to the affected communities.
Supporting the motion, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Muhammad Tahir Monguno, acknowledged that the protection of lives and property was a fundamental responsibility of government and that no community should be left at the mercy of criminal groups.
He said the presentation of the motion demonstrated that Senator Shuaibu Lau was adequately representing his constituents by bringing their plight before the Senate to seek support.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended Senator Lau’s efforts in bringing the motion before the Senate for appropriate legislative action.
He assured that the Senate would take appropriate measures to ensure proper surveillance in the affected area.