The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the gruesome killing of 42 persons including civilians, policemen and six Soldiers.
The lawmakers therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to embark on massive recruitment of personnel into the Nigeria’s Armed Forces to prosecute the war against terrorism ravaging the country.
This was coming after the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance co-sponsored by two Taraba lawmakers namely: Hon. Danjuma Usman and Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu on the unconscionable killings of Civilians, officers of the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army in Takum, Taraba State.
The House tasked the President on the need to increase the capacity of the Armed Forces and security agencies to forestall further loss of lives.
In his lead debate, Hon. Usman noted that on Tuesday 10th May 2022, bandits/terrorist attacked Tati village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
He pointed out that the farming community was razed down by the bandits who had arrived in the area the previous night and butchered 42 civilians, policemen and six Soldiers.
According to him,“In response to several distress calls made by the residents, Security agents mobilized scantily to the area.
“The bandits ambushed the security agents who were outnumbered and in the ensuring face off six Soldiers were killed; this was after the bandits had earlier killed a Policeman at a checkpoint and other civilians at Tati; the Commander of the 93 Battalion is missing in action.
“The massive movement of the bandits to the area had been reported by residents to government agencies and functionaries as well as security agencies some days back.
“The Security agencies, especially the 93 BN of the Nigeria army and some units of the Special Forces (operations Wild Stroke) had engaged the bandits successfully last week and seized dangerous weapons from them.
“About a month ago the bandits had struck etcKwentwen, Kwencwen, Kwenmboi (Quarry), Gangum 2, Tati-Kumbo and Tati area. Others are; Bassang, Fawen, Kashiten and Muji in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas respectively and killed over 46 persons without any serious challenge.
“The House is concerned that these bandits are increasing their reach and destabilizing more parts of the country.
“The House is also concerned that these bandits operate in very large numbers and in this instant case, less than 20 military men are confronted by over 300 well armed bandits.
“The House is disturbed by this persistent and consistent killings of both security personnel and civilians that may dampen the morale of our soldiers and encourage the bandits to cause more havoc.
“The House is further disturbed that Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios of Soldier to civilian population and the men are overstretched as operations are taking place in almost all States of the Federation.”
To this end, the House tasked 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 also urged the intelligence agencies to take steps to fish out the sponsors of these bandits so that they are made to face the law.