At least 37 people have been confirmed dead after suspected bandits attacked Binnari village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The attack reportedly happened around 3 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, shortly after Muslim residents completed their weekly Jumu’ah prayers. The gunmen opened fire, looted food items from shops and set houses, shops and motorcycles on fire.
The initial death toll stood at 10. However, community leaders and youths later searched nearby bushes and rivers, recovering more bodies and raising the number of victims to 37.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah.
Police said officers were sent to the village after receiving a report from the Officer-in-Charge of Binnari. They recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds and handed them to their families for burial according to Islamic rites.
The command said more officers had been placed on red alert. Joint teams involving police tactical units, the Police Mobile Force, regular police officers, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies were also deployed to the area.
Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Edwin Ogbegaghagha, directed security teams to maintain coordinated operations, stop further attacks and arrest those responsible.
The attackers are suspected to have entered Taraba from neighbouring Plateau State. However, their identities and motive remain unknown.
The Taraba State Government had yet to issue an official statement or announce further security measures as of the time of the report.
