A Civil Advocacy group, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), has condemned the brutal massacre of dozens of residents in the Binari community of Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, faulting Governor Agbu Kefas for prioritising politics over governance.
The group slammed the governor for attending a political event in Kaduna State shortly after the tragedy, stressing that when his people needed his presence, he was participating in a political rally, promising electoral support for his party.
It will be recalled that the assault, which took place on Friday, October 23, saw armed men arrive on motorcycles, set houses on fire, loot and destroy food stores, and leave massive destruction in their wake.
Taraba State Police Command spokesperson, Victor Mshelizah, confirmed that at least 58 bodies have been recovered from the attacked community so far, with search operations continuing.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its leader, Dr. Charles Meribole, NAS described the invasion as “barbaric, reprehensible, and a senseless killing of defenceless citizens that mustn’t go unpunished”
Though Governor Kefas had issued statement condemning the incident through his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, directing security reinforcements to Karim Lamido Local Government Area, the distribution of emergency relief supplies, and demanding the apprehension of all perpetrators “irrespective of their status or position”
However, the group faulted the governor’s actions following the tragedy, pointing out that less than 24 hours after the massacre, Governor Kefas travelled to Kaduna State to attend the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-West 2027 presidential campaign flag-off.
“At a time when his people needed the reassurance and presence of their leader, the governor was participating in a political rally, promising electoral support for his party”, Meribole said. “This is profoundly insensitive and falls short of the compassion and responsibility of public office. Mr. Agbu Kefas has failed the critical test of leadership”
The group warned that Binari is only the latest flashpoint in an escalating cycle of rural violence across Taraba State, recalling earlier attacks this year in Gwomu community, as well as several localities across Takum and Wukari local government areas.
According to the association, government responses have largely been confined to routine press releases and unimplemented promises of justice, while rural agricultural communities continue to suffer heavy casualties at the hands of bandits and armed militias.
“Nigerians have endured too many soulless statements and promises that perpetrators of crime will be brought to justice. Yet no functional justice system has emerged manifesting through thorough investigation, interdiction, prosecution, and punishment,” the statement continued, warning against a creeping national desensitization to mass casualties fueled by ethnic, religious, and partisan divisions.
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