Armed men kill residents and loot Binnari in Nigeria’s Taraba State
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Dailytrust
Armed men killed several residents, including women and children, in an attack on Binnari, Taraba State, Nigeria, then looted shops and took motorbikes. A local leader said the attackers arrived on about 50 motorbikes and called on authorities to strengthen security in the area, according to Daily Trust.
Friday’s attack on the town of Binnari, in the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Nigeria’s Taraba State, left at least 10 people dead, according to police. Residents cited by Daily Trust, however, said more than 18 bodies were found after the attackers left, and that several people were missing.
The armed men arrived at around 3pm on about 50 motorbikes, with two people on each vehicle, before opening fire in several directions. The attack took place on a market day, when many residents were in the streets. The attackers blocked the town’s entrances, killed residents and looted shops, taking money, food and provisions, according to community leader Tanko Andami, cited by Daily Trust.
The attackers also took motorbikes abandoned by their owners as they fled. Taraba State police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah confirmed the attack and announced the deployment of officers to the area. Community authorities asked the governor of Taraba and security services to increase their presence in Karim-Lamido, where bandits operate near the borders with Plateau and Bauchi states.
The attack follows a bandit raid in Binnari, already reported on 24 October, as well as another attack that left 10 people dead in Taraba State.
