Taraba, Oct 28:
At least 62 people were killed and 52 injured after armed gunmen attacked Binnari village in Nigeria’s northeastern Taraba State, triggering a mass exodus of residents, according to emergency officials.
The attack took place on October 23, when the assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire while a weekly market was underway. Residents fled in different directions, with several attempting to escape by crossing the nearby Benue River. At least 15 bodies were subsequently recovered from the water.
The attackers also damaged homes and property, while thousands of people were displaced by the violence. Rescue teams continued searching for victims, and police cautioned that the death toll could rise as recovery operations remained underway.
The incident highlights the continuing security challenges in Nigeria, where armed gangs, commonly known as bandits, raid villages, abduct people for ransom and attack civilians. The country is also battling a prolonged insurgency involving Islamist militant groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Security personnel have been deployed to the affected region as authorities continue recovery efforts and work to restore calm.