By Islam El-Sakka
The death toll from a violent raid on the remote village of Binnari in Taraba State, north-eastern Nigeria, has risen to at least 48 people, according to police reports. The attack, which occurred just after midday Muslim prayers, involved unidentified gunmen on motorcycles who looted shops and set houses on fire.
Details of the Attack
Initial reports from the police indicated 10 deaths, but more bodies were discovered as the investigation progressed. State police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah stated that some victims died from gunshot wounds, while others drowned or were killed in nearby bushes while attempting to flee the attackers. Amnesty International has provided an even higher estimate, citing sources on the ground that suggest at least 52 people may have lost their lives.
Community leader Malam Abubakar Saifullahi reported that approximately 50 motorcycles, each carrying two men, were used in the raid. The attackers looted cash, food supplies, and other provisions, as well as motorcycles abandoned by residents during the chaos. The rampage lasted for approximately four hours before the gunmen fled the scene.
Security and Investigation Concerns
Assistant Superintendent of Police Victor Mshelizah noted that although officers responded to distress calls, the attackers escaped due to the difficult terrain, which they were more familiar with. While police have patrolled the area to restore calm, survivors described a scene of total panic, stating that there was no safe place to hide during the assault.
Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International's director for Nigeria, has called for an impartial investigation into the killings. He criticized the authorities for failing to protect rural communities, alleging that they have been left at the mercy of gunmen who commit atrocities with impunity. The incident occurs amidst ongoing insecurity in north-eastern, north-western, and central Nigeria, where jihadist groups and armed gangs frequently engage in raids and kidnappings.
