The Resident Bishop of the United Methodist Church Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal Episcopal Area, Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, has mourned victims of the deadly attack on Binari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Council of Taraba State, calling on the state and federal governments to take urgent measures to protect lives and property.

The bishop, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Lead Director of Communication of the church, Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta, expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones during the attack, which reportedly occurred on Friday.

Reports indicated that at least 37 people were killed, while hundreds of houses were reportedly set ablaze, destroying properties worth hundreds of millions of naira and leaving many residents displaced.

Bishop Emmanuel described the incident as a painful tragedy that had plunged the affected community into mourning, extending his sympathies to bereaved families, injured residents and those who lost their homes and livelihoods.

He said no family should be subjected to such pain, fear and uncertainty, assuring the people of Binari of the church’s solidarity during the difficult period.

The bishop noted that Binari is among the communities with a United Methodist Church presence under Haske District of the Central Nigeria Annual Conference, adding that the attack was a source of grave concern to the church and its members.

He called on the Taraba state and federal governments to fulfil their constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens by strengthening security operations in Binari and neighbouring communities.

Emmanuel also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack and ensure they are brought to justice.

He stressed the need for proactive security measures to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable communities from recurring attacks.

Beyond security, the bishop appealed to the two levels of government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to affected residents, including food, temporary shelter, medical care and other essential relief materials.

According to him, displaced families and residents mourning their loved ones should not be left to bear the consequences of the tragedy without adequate support.

“The primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. The people of Binari and other vulnerable communities deserve to live without the constant fear of attacks on their homes, families and livelihoods,” he said.

He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to restore peace and apprehend the perpetrators.

The bishop further called on community, religious and traditional leaders to work together to promote unity, strengthen peaceful coexistence and prevent further violence.

Addressing members of Haske District and the wider Central Nigeria Annual Conference, Emmanuel assured them of his prayers and solidarity, urging them to remain united and support one another through the difficult period.

He encouraged the affected faithful to remain steadfast in their faith despite the tragedy, expressing hope that the bereaved would find comfort and displaced residents would regain stability.

The bishop also called on the wider United Methodist Church community, people of goodwill and the international community to remember the victims in their prayers and provide practical assistance to families affected by the attack.

He reaffirmed the church’s solidarity with the people of Binari, while praying for comfort for the bereaved, healing for the injured, justice for the victims and lasting peace in the community.