62 Killed, 52 Injured After Gunmen Open Fire On Village In Nigeria

At least 62 people were killed and 52 injured after gunmen attacked Binnari village in northeastern Nigeria’s Taraba State during its weekly market, forcing thousands to flee as police and rescue teams continued search operations.

The attack took place on October 23 in Binnari, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area. According to reports, the attackers arrived on motorcycles shortly after Friday Muslim prayers and opened fire on residents. The assault reportedly lasted around four hours, with gunmen looting shops, taking cash, food supplies and abandoned motorcycles, and setting houses and other property ablaze.

Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported the latest casualty figures. Police initially confirmed 10 deaths, but the toll increased as additional bodies were recovered from surrounding bushes and the nearby Benue River. At least 15 people drowned while trying to escape across the river, according to reports. Recovery operations continued, and authorities warned that the final death toll could rise.

Residents fled in different directions as the gunmen attacked the crowded market, an important trading centre for Binnari and neighbouring settlements. The violence left thousands displaced and families searching for missing relatives.

The attack also raised concerns about security arrangements in the remote community. Residents and local representatives pointed to poor roads, difficult terrain and weak telecommunications coverage, which hinder efforts to alert security agencies and enable personnel to reach affected areas quickly. Local hunters and vigilantes reportedly pursued the attackers into nearby forests before security reinforcements arrived.

The Taraba State Police Command deployed additional personnel, including tactical units, mobile police and conventional officers, alongside the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. Officials said the deployment was intended to restore calm and prevent further attacks. No confirmed arrests or verified claim of responsibility had been reported in the latest accounts.

The state government also initiated emergency relief through the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, providing food and other essential supplies to displaced families while assessing damage to homes, shops and livelihoods. Governor Agbu Kefas condemned the killings and called for security agencies to protect residents and bring those responsible to justice. He had previously approved 1 billion naira for the state’s peace and conflict management bureau to support peacebuilding and the return of displaced people in Karim-Lamido.