Taraba: NBA mourns victims of bandit attack, demands urgent govt action

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, has condemned the attack and killing of residents of Binnari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

In a statement signed by the branch chairman, Dr Daniel Philemon Saredau, the NBA described the loss of innocent lives as unacceptable and called on the Taraba State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, to move beyond expressions of concern and take urgent, coordinated and targeted action.

Tribune Online reports that the death toll from Friday’s attack has risen to 46, while the search for missing persons continues.

The statement read, “The loss of innocent lives is unacceptable. Constitutionally, every citizen has a fundamental right to life, and the primary purpose of government is to ensure the security and welfare of citizens.

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“No community should be left to live in fear, and no family should have to endure the devastating loss of loved ones to preventable violence.

“We call on the Taraba State Government, in concert with the security agencies, to move beyond expressions of concern and take urgent, coordinated and targeted action.

“This must include the immediate deployment of adequate security personnel and resources to vulnerable communities, the identification and arrest of the perpetrators, diligent investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law, and sustained security measures to prevent further attacks.

“We urge community leaders and residents to cooperate with lawful security operations and provide credible information to assist investigations and curtailment operations.

“However, we caution against reprisals, collective blame and any action capable of escalating the crisis.

“The right to life is not a privilege to be enjoyed at the discretion of armed non-state actors. It is a fundamental right that the state is constitutionally obligated to protect.

“The effectiveness of the government’s response must therefore be measured not by the strength of its press statements, but by its ability to prevent further killings, protect vulnerable citizens and bring perpetrators to justice.”