In brief
Gunmen in Taraba’s Karim Lamido area on motorcycles attacked the village of Binnari, killing more than ten people and seizing loot from shops during a four‑hour assault that took place after midday prayers. Witnesses report the death toll could be as high as 50, with survivors describing chaos and missing persons. Police recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds and are scouring the surrounding bush for more casualties. Amnesty International has demanded a neutral investigation, arguing that rural communities remain vulnerable to armed violence. The incident underscores the broader insecurity that plagues Nigeria’s northeast.
Unknown gunmen raided the remote village of Binnari in Taraba state’s Karim Lamido area, killing at least ten people, looting shops, and setting homes ablaze, police said. The attack took place just after the midday Muslim prayers on Friday and stretched for up to four hours.
Eyewitness accounts suggest a death toll as high as 50, while a non‑governmental organisation reports around 20 fatalities. Survivors described a scene of chaos, with villagers running in all directions to escape the onslaught.
Police recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds after responding to a distress call. Assistant Superintendent Victor Mshelizah told reporters that the attackers had fled but were still patrolling the area to restore calm.
Community leader Malam Abubakar Saifullahi confirmed that the gunmen arrived on about 50 motorcycles, two men per bike. They not only robbed shops but also confiscated cash, foodstuffs and abandoned motorcycles from fleeing residents.
Amnesty International’s Nigerian director Isa Sanusi criticised the authorities for leaving rural communities “at the mercy of gunmen that are repeatedly committing atrocities with impunity”. He called for an impartial investigation and urged the government to protect isolated villages from such attacks.
The incident is a stark reminder of the persistent insecurity that plagues Nigeria’s north‑east, where armed groups continue to target civilians and destabilise local economies.
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