At least 62 people were killed in the attack on the village of Binnari, in Taraba State, northeastern Nigeria, the national emergency management agency announced on Tuesday, October 27. Armed men had stormed this locality in the Karim-Lamido area on Friday afternoon.
The attack also left 52 injured and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, according to Ladan Ayuba, head of the national emergency management agency in Taraba State. Rescue and recovery operations were ongoing in the area on Tuesday.
Teams have recovered 52 bodies, including 15 from the Benue River, according to agency officials cited by Associated Press. Taraba police specified that the toll was not final, as other victims are still being sought.
An initial report released on Saturday indicated at least 40 deaths. Reuters had then reported that a large group of armed men opened fire on the village, while the police initially recorded ten victims before the discovery of additional bodies.
The assailants fired continuously and looted goods from shops, according to a police statement cited by Reuters. Authorities describe them as members of criminal groups commonly referred to as bandits in the northern part of the country.
Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that residents were chased towards the river. Several people jumped into the water to try to escape the armed men, which explains the recovery of bodies in the Benue.
Armed groups are increasing attacks on villages in northern Nigeria, where they also kidnap residents for ransom and steal livestock. The region is simultaneously facing violence from jihadist groups, notably Boko Haram and the West African branch of the Islamic State organization.
