The House of Representatives has called for improved intelligence gathering and surveillance to prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities following the killing of dozens of people in Binnari community, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The lawmakers also urged security agencies in Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states to strengthen intelligence sharing and coordinate operations to prevent suspected bandits from exploiting forest routes to launch attacks.
The resolution followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mohammed Audu during Thursday’s plenary session, following the October 23 attack on traders and residents in Binnari.
At least 10 people were reportedly shot dead during the assault, while several others plunged into a river while attempting to escape. The estimated death toll was put at between 57 and 60.
Presenting the motion, Audu said the attackers had used routes connecting forested areas of Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states to gain access to vulnerable communities, stressing the need for a coordinated security response.
“The attackers came through Dutsen Zaki under Compani Ward in Wase Local Government, Madam Forest Kukawa, all under Kanam Local Government still in Plateau State, and around Yankari Government Reserve, Gwana Mountain, in Alkaleri Local Government,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that the identified locations shared boundaries with Amar, Didango, Andami and Bachama wards in Karim Lamido, making it necessary for security agencies across the affected states to work together.
He described the incident as unprecedented in the history of Karim Lamido and blamed poor road infrastructure for delays in security operations.
Audu consequently called on the Federal Government to direct the Ministry of Works to complete the abandoned Wase-Karim Lamido road project, arguing that improved road access would enable security personnel to reach threatened communities more quickly.
He also disclosed that suspected bandits allegedly attacked neighbouring Gomben Dela community on October 26, looting food items and seizing vehicles.
Although no deaths were reported in the second incident, Audu said the recurrence of attacks underscored the urgent need for government intervention.
Contributing to the debate, the Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, questioned the effectiveness of existing security measures, noting that communities continued to suffer casualties and property destruction despite substantial government expenditure on security.
“Day in, day out, city after city, we are constantly confronted with these issues of attacks on either a community or communities. And most of the time, several lives are lost, properties are massively destroyed by the assailants,” Agbedi said.
He called for a shift towards preventive security measures, including modern surveillance systems, improved intelligence gathering and the deployment of technology to identify suspected attackers and monitor their movements.
Agbedi also questioned why security agencies often struggled to identify perpetrators after major attacks despite significant investments in security equipment.
He urged relevant House committees to intensify oversight of security agencies and monitor the implementation of legislative resolutions, warning that poor budget implementation could weaken efforts to tackle insecurity.
Responding to concerns raised during the debate, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, defended the government’s security efforts, citing figures which he said showed improvements in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats.
“13,000 plus terrorists have been neutralised in the last year. Violent deaths are down by 81% since 2023,” Kalu said.
He further disclosed that more than 124,000 fighters and their family members had surrendered since 2023, while over 104,000 people had been placed under the Multinational Joint Task Force’s Safe Corridor programme.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the number of local government areas under insurgent control had dropped from 17 in 2022 to six, based on 2025 data.
He added that more than 19,000 illegal weapons had been destroyed as part of efforts to reduce the proliferation of arms.
Kalu also highlighted the increase in security expenditure, which he said rose from N2.98tn in 2023 to N3.25tn in 2024, N4.91tn in 2025 and N5.4tn in 2026.
Other measures cited by the Deputy Speaker included the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel and the expansion of electronic policing.
However, lawmakers maintained that the continued attacks on communities demonstrated the need for more effective preventive strategies, stronger intelligence networks and better coordination among security agencies.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies operating in Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states.
The lawmakers also called on the North East Development Commission, the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, alongside other humanitarian organisations, to provide relief materials to affected families and survivors.
The House commended Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, military commanders, the state Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department of State Services and other security agencies for their response to the incident.
