The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the government of President Bola Tinubu to end attacks on civilians and bring perpetrators and sponsors to justice following reports that at least 62 people were killed in a deadly attack on the Binnari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
SERAP, in a statement on Tuesday, said it is seriously concerned about the attack, in which dozens of others were reportedly injured, thousands displaced, and bodies still being recovered.
According to reports cited by SERAP, victims were chased towards the river as they tried to escape.
“What happened was that people were chased towards the river; they launched into the river trying to escape the bandits,” SERAP quoted the report as saying.
SERAP said the killings must stop and those responsible must be held accountable.
“SERAP is seriously concerned about reports that at least 62 people have been killed in a deadly attack on the Binnari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. Dozens of others were reportedly injured, thousands displaced, and bodies were still being recovered following the attack.
“The Nigerian government has a duty to protect lives and ensure the safety of communities across the country. The authorities must conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into the attack, identify the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and bring all those responsible to justice through fair trials,” SERAP said.
“The Tinubu administration and the Taraba State authorities must end impunity for attacks on civilians and ensure that anyone responsible, including those who ordered, sponsored or enabled the attack, is held accountable.”
It said the authorities must also investigate whether any failures to prevent or respond to the attack contributed to the loss of life.
SERAP stated that the government must take effective measures to protect vulnerable communities, prevent further attacks and address the underlying causes of insecurity.
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“It must not stand by while members of Nigerian communities are killed and families are left to mourn their loved ones or displaced from their homes.
“The authorities must ensure that victims and their families have access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation and support for those injured, bereaved or displaced.
The Nigerian government must fulfil its constitutional and international human rights obligations to protect the lives and security of everyone in the country. People must not be left to risk their lives while fleeing attacks or live in constant fear of being killed in their own communities.
The attack in Binnari is the latest in a series of deadly assaults on rural communities in Taraba and other parts of northern Nigeria, where residents have repeatedly complained of inadequate protection despite repeated promises by federal and state authorities.
