At least 62 people have been killed and 52 others wounded after gunmen attacked the Binnari community in Taraba state, northeastern Nigeria, with thousands displaced, the country's emergency agency said on Tuesday.
The assault, allegedly carried out by criminals referred to as bandits, took place on Friday in the Binnari community, located in the Karim-Lamido local government area of Taraba state, according to Ladan Ayuba, the state head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Bodies recovered from Benue River
NEMA officials confirmed that 52 bodies have been retrieved so far, with 15 discovered in the Benue River. A Taraba police spokesperson said the death toll remains uncertain as more bodies continue to be found.
"We still have men on the ground, and the more we recover bodies, we will put them in account," Victor Mshelizah told The Associated Press.
Attackers exploited the river
Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi explained that the gunmen used the river strategically during the attack. "What happened was that people were chased towards the river, they launched into the river trying to escape the bandits," Sanusi said.
Nigeria is facing a complex security crisis, with civilians frequently attacked by bandits who conduct mass kidnappings for ransom and control illegal mining operations, alongside Islamist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
