Gunmen kill at least 10 in attack on Nigerian village

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 04:27 · Archive

Gunmen on motorcycles attacked Binnari village in Taraba State, Nigeria on Friday, killing at least 10 people.

Gunmen on about 50 motorcycles attacked Binnari village in Taraba State on Friday just after midday prayers, police said. Nigerian authorities confirmed 10 bodies with gunshot wounds had been recovered, though officers warned they were continuing to search nearby areas and the death toll could rise further.

Eyewitness accounts suggest a higher toll. Community leader Malam Abubakar Saifullahi told AFP that each motorcycle carried two men. Resident Sa'idu Nuhu said that after the attackers left, "we counted more than 20 bodies, and some people were still missing". Amnesty International stated the death toll could be as high as 40, with additional bodies recovered on Saturday.

The BBC reports the raid lasted up to four hours. The gunmen looted shops and took cash, foodstuffs and provisions, according to accounts given to AFP. Police said they responded to a distress call but the attackers had fled by the time officers arrived. Assistant Superintendent of Police Victor Mshelizah told BBC News that officers dispersed the gunmen but found no casualties on either side due to the difficult terrain.

Amnesty International criticised Nigerian authorities for leaving rural communities vulnerable, saying they "continue to leave rural communities in some parts of the north at the mercy of gunmen".

How it is being reported

• Gunmen kill at least 10 villagers and loot shops in northeast NigeriaPolice are searching for other casualties, with officials warning the actual death toll could rise further.BBC News · 25 Oct, 03:20
• Gunmen kill at least 10 people in eastern Nigeria, police sayNigerian police say a large group carried out the attack on Binnari village in Taraba State.Al Jazeera · 24 Oct, 23:35

In this story: Nigeria · Taraba State · Binnari · Amnesty International · Malam Abubakar Saifullahi

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem