Taraba state attack in Nigeria leaves at least 62 dead and thousands displaced

What happened in Taraba state

At least 62 people have been killed and 52 injured after armed assailants attacked the Binnari community in the Karim-Lamido local government area of Taraba state, northeastern Nigeria.

The assault, which took place on Friday, forced thousands of residents to flee their homes as gunmen swept through the area. National Emergency Management Agency official Ladan Ayuba confirmed the casualties on Tuesday, noting that large numbers of displaced residents remain without shelter.

Many residents were chased towards the nearby Benue River while attempting to flee the gunfire. Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said the attackers deliberately pushed victims toward the water.

"What happened was that people were chased towards the river, they launched into the river trying to escape the bandits," Sanusi said.

Recovery efforts and casualty figures

Emergency teams and security personnel have so far recovered 52 bodies, including 15 retrieved directly from the Benue River. Search teams continue to comb the surrounding terrain and riverbanks for missing residents.

Taraba police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah stated that the official death toll could rise further as operations continue on the ground.

"We still have men on the ground, and the more we recover bodies, we will put them in account," Mshelizah said.

Broader security crisis in northern Nigeria

The attack reflects the relentless security challenges across northern Nigeria, where armed criminal gangs locally called bandits routinely raid rural communities, conduct mass kidnappings for ransom, and control illegal mining operations. The region also remains under strain from extremist insurgencies led by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.