By Christiana Ekpa
Disturbed by the repeated killings by suspected bandits in the southern area of Taraba State, members of the House of Representatives, Wednesday called for more recruitment into the armed forces, as well as establishment of forest guards across Ngeria.
This was just as the House, urged the intelligence agencies to take steps to fish out the sponsors of these bandits so that they are made to face the law
They also asked the Chief of Army Staff and Inspector-General of Police to deploy more security men to effectively secure the Takum LGA in Taraba State and fish out the bandits;
The lawmakers in a motion under matters of urgent importance, sponsored by Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi representing ShiddiWukari/Ibi Federal Constituency, and Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum presenting Takum/Donga/Ussa/Yangtu SDA Federal Constituency, Taraba State presented during an emergency plenary of the House on Wednesday, said the attacks have seen innocent civilians and soldiers killed, stressing the need to increase the capacity of the armed forces and security agencies to forstall further loss of lives.
Briefing journalists after successfully moving the motion on the floor, Usman said in the last one month, communities in southern Taraba have been facing serious challenges, adding that “three days ago, 42 persons were killed and several communities destroyed, and we’re told told is that these bandits are coming from Plateau and Borno States”.
The lawmaker who had sponsored a Bill, progress of which he regretted was slow, also used the opportunity to call for the establishment of forest guards, using locals within affected areas, a move he noted will serve complementary role in intelligence gathering for the security forces.
They recalled in the motion that on Tuesday 10th May 2022, bandits/terrorist attacked Tati village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, a farming community and razed it down.
“In response to several distress calls made by the residents, Security agency mobilized scantily to the area; the bandits ambushed the security agents who were outnumbered and in the ensuing face off, six soldiers were killed; this was after the bandits had earlier killed a policeman at a check point and other civilians at Tati. The Commander of the 93 Battalion is missing in action”, he said.
The House in adopting the motion observed a minute silence in honour of those killed, as it urged the Chief of Army Staff and Inspector-General of Police to deploy more security men to effectively secure the Takum LGA in Taraba State and fish out the bandits.
They equally urged all branches of government to ensure that the shortage of men in the armed forces is urgent addressed for we have too few armed men to combat the nature of the security challenges confronting the country today;and;
While urging NEMA to prior idle relief materials for survivors, the House urged the intelligence agencies to take steps to fish out the sponsors of these bandits so that they are made to face the law, as well as all tiers of government to ensure the shortage of men in the armed forces is urgently addressed.
