At least 48 people have been killed in an attack on a village in northeastern Nigeria’s Taraba State, police said, while Amnesty International put the death toll at 52.
Gunmen on motorcycles raided Binnari village on Friday, looting shops and setting homes ablaze. Police initially reported 10 deaths, but the toll rose after more bodies were recovered on Sunday.
Taraba State police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah said some victims drowned while fleeing the attackers, while others were killed in nearby bushes.
Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi said the organisation’s toll was based on information from local sources and community members. He called for an impartial investigation into the killings.
Police said officers responded to a distress call but the attackers had fled before they arrived. Patrols continued in the area to restore calm, although difficult terrain hampered the response.
The attack highlights persistent insecurity in Nigeria, where armed groups have carried out deadly raids, kidnappings and attacks on rural communities. Security is expected to remain a major concern ahead of the country’s 2027 general elections.
