The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take urgent action to end attacks on communities in Taraba State and ensure that the perpetrators and sponsors of the killings are brought to justice.
The organisation expressed concern over reports that at least 62 people were killed in a deadly attack on Binnari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Dozens of others were reportedly injured, thousands displaced, while bodies were still being recovered following the attack.
SERAP said the Federal Government had a responsibility to protect lives and ensure the safety of communities across the country, stressing that the authorities must conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into the incident.
It called on the government to identify the suspected attackers and their sponsors and ensure that all those found responsible were prosecuted through fair trials.
The organisation also urged the Tinubu administration and the Taraba State Government to end impunity for attacks on civilians and hold accountable everyone who ordered, financed or facilitated the violence.
SERAP further called for an investigation into whether any failures by security agencies or other authorities to prevent or respond to the attack contributed to the loss of lives.
It stressed that the government must take effective measures to protect vulnerable communities, prevent further attacks and address the underlying causes of insecurity.
The organisation warned against allowing communities to remain exposed to repeated violence while families mourn their loved ones and survivors are forced to flee their homes.
According to reports cited in the account of the attack, some residents were chased towards a river while attempting to escape from the assailants.
“What happened was that people were chased towards the river, they launched into the river trying to escape the bandits,” the report stated.
SERAP also urged the authorities to ensure that victims and their families have access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation and support for those injured, bereaved or displaced.
It emphasised that the Nigerian government must fulfil its constitutional and international human rights obligations to protect the lives and security of everyone in the country.
The organisation maintained that residents should not be forced to risk their lives fleeing attacks or live under the constant fear of being killed in their own communities.
SERAP called for urgent action to stop the killings, protect affected communities and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.
