Death toll rises in Taraba village attack

The death toll from a raid on Binnari village in Taraba State has climbed to 40, according to Amnesty International. The human rights organization released a statement on Saturday noting that police initially confirmed 10 deaths. However, more bodies were discovered on Saturday, pushing the count higher than the official figure provided by local authorities.

Police stated that 10 bodies had been recovered by Friday evening following the assault. The attack occurred when a large group of gunmen on motorcycles struck the community. Officers reported that the attackers looted food from local shops during the raid. This official count contrasts with the higher estimates provided by survivors and international observers.

Survivors of the violence told the AFP news agency that at least 20 people had died. Isiyaku Musa, a resident of Binnari, also placed the death toll at no fewer than 20. Sa'idu Nuhu, another resident, described the scene after the gunmen departed. He said the community counted more than 20 bodies, with some people still missing at the time of his account.

Malam Abubakar Saifullahi, a community leader, provided details on the scale of the force used. He said about 50 motorcycles arrived, with two men on each vehicle. The group raided the village, taking cash, foodstuffs, and other provisions. They also seized motorcycles that residents had abandoned while fleeing the gunfire.

Amnesty International criticized the Nigerian government in its statement. The group said authorities continue to leave rural communities in parts of the north at the mercy of gunmen. It noted that these groups repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity. The organization highlighted the disparity between the initial police confirmation and the subsequent discovery of additional victims.

Banditry has emerged as a growing issue in northwest and central Nigeria. Powerful gangs in these regions often clash with police and military forces that are stretched thin across remote areas. Taraba, located in the central-east, faces similar threats from groups that are not driven by ideology. These bands raid villages, kidnap individuals for ransom, and levy taxes on farmers and miners in areas with little state presence.

The attack in Binnari occurred just after Friday prayers. In a separate development on Saturday, the Nigerian military announced it had killed 15 terrorists in an air strike. The strike took place in Borno State in the northeast, continuing the country's fight against armed rebellion that began with the Boko Haram uprising in 2009.