In brief
Unknown gunmen attacked Binnari village in Taraba state, killing at least ten people, looting shops and setting houses on fire. Eyewitnesses and NGOs report casualties as high as 50, with funerals attended by over 30 mourners. Police recovered 10 bodies, but fear the death toll may rise. The incident reflects Nigeria’s ongoing battle with armed insurgents across several regions, and has drawn criticism from human‑rights organisations for inadequate protection of rural communities.
Unknown gunmen attacked the remote village of Binnari in the Karim Lamido area of Taraba state, killing at least 10 people, looting shops and setting several houses ablaze, police say.
Eyewitnesses report that the attack began just after midday Muslim prayers on Friday, with gunmen mounted on motorcycles, and lasted up to four hours. Some accounts suggest the death toll reached 20, while a local NGO’s director said up to 50 may have died.
Police recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds after responding to a distress call, but are still searching the surrounding bush for missing villagers. Assistant Superintendent Victor Mshelizah stated that the attackers had fled but were still patrolling the area to restore calm.
The incident comes amid a broader security crisis, with Nigeria confronting insurgent and jihadist attacks across its north‑west, northeast and central regions. Critics argue the government has failed to adequately protect rural communities.
International NGO Amnesty International’s Nigeria director Isa Sanusi called for an impartial investigation, accusing authorities of leaving rural populations “at the mercy of gunmen” who repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity.
The tragic raid underscores the urgent need for more robust security measures and transparent investigations in Nigeria’s fragile conflict zones.
