A deadly attack in Taraba State by terrorists wreaking havoc across Nigeria’s Middle Belt region has claimed the lives of at least 50 people.
The attack happened last Friday after Jummah prayer in Binnari town in Karim-Lamdo Local Government Area of the State.
Bandits were said to have opened fire on locals and residents after observing the Friday prayer with them, killing and looting shops freely for more than three hours without any intervention from security operatives.
In the ensuing chaos and confusion, people fled in different directions trying to escape the attack, but many reportedly drowned in the river while scampering for safety. Many of those who drowned were said to be from neighbouring states
According to reports, over 50 victims of the attack were buried on Saturday. The search was still ongoing inside the bush and Binnari River to recover more bodies, as many locals are still missing.
Fifty-two people, including a six-month-old baby who suffered a gunshot wound, were injured in the attack, with thousands more displaced, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed.
Ladan Ayuba, the state head of NEMA, said 15 bodies were recovered from the Benue River.
However, Jibri Dabo, a boat operator in Binnari, said rescuers recovered over 41 people from the river.
He disclosed that most of those who drowned were people who came to the market from Gombe, Bauchi and Plateau states and could not swim.
Dabo said other victims were from Jigawa and Yobe states who came to work in rice farms, adding that a team comprising mostly young divers from the community recovered the bodies.
“Shortly after the Friday prayers at about 3pm, bandits entered the town and opened fire in different directions, and everybody started running. The town was in total confusion. Everybody was running, and unfortunately many of the residents who were taken unaware by attackers ran into the bandits while others ran into the river where they drowned,” Dabo said.
According to him, the police came to the town around 9am on Saturday, while soldiers arrived in the evening.
The police in the state said the figure is not definite as more bodies are still being recovered. “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.
Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi said the gunmen used the river to their advantage. “What happened was that people were chased towards the river; they launched into the river trying to escape the bandits,” Sanusi said.
He described the attack as “utter disdain for the sanctity of life,” calling for an impartial investigation and justice for the victims.
“The community is now littered with dead bodies, some burnt beyond recognition, as families declare many still missing. The Nigerian authorities continue to leave rural communities in some parts of the north at the mercy of gunmen who repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity.”
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has charged all relevant security agencies to take urgent steps to restore calm, protect lives and property, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Kefas, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communication, Mr Emmanuel Bello, said that everything must be done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He maintained that everyone involved must be held accountable in accordance with the law.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and restoring lasting peace in Karim Lamido, adding that efforts were being made to facilitate the safe return of displaced persons to their communities.
“As part of the broader peacebuilding efforts, the governor recently approved N1 billion for the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management to address the aftermath of previous crises and support initiatives aimed at restoring tranquillity in Karim Lamido,” the governor said.
He condoled with the families of those killed and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as they work to restore normalcy.
