TARABA MASSACRE: DEATH TOLL RISES AS GUNMEN ATTACK BINNARI AFTER FRIDAY PRAYERS

By NaijaParrot | October 25, 2026 

BINNARI, TARABA STATE At least 37 people have reportedly been killed following a deadly attack by suspected bandits on Binnari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, with houses and shops set ablaze and residents fleeing for safety. 

 The attack occurred on Friday, October 23, shortly after Jumu’ah prayers, when heavily armed assailants reportedly invaded the community, opened fire on residents and looted food items and other provisions from shops. 

 Initial reports put the death toll at 10, but subsequent accounts indicated that community members searching surrounding areas recovered additional bodies, bringing the reported figure to 37. However, the higher casualty figure had not been confirmed by the police in the reports available at the time of publication.

According to reports from the area, the attackers arrived in large numbers and unleashed gunfire, triggering panic as residents attempted to escape. Some accounts said the assailants also targeted members of a local vigilante group whose office was located near a mosque, while worshippers leaving prayers were caught up in the violence. 

 Community sources reported that women and children were among those killed. Several other residents were also reported missing in the aftermath of the attack. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities and motives of the assailants, had not been officially established.

Beyond the reported loss of lives, the attackers allegedly set houses and shops ablaze and looted food supplies and other goods. The destruction has added to the hardship facing residents, many of whom depend on local trading and farming for their livelihoods. 

 Reports also indicated that some residents fled Binnari and sought refuge in neighbouring communities amid fears of further violence. The full extent of the damage and the number of people displaced remained unclear as reports continued to emerge. 

 The Taraba State Police Command confirmed that armed men attacked Binnari at about 3 p.m. on Friday. Police spokesperson ASP Victor Mshelizah said officers were mobilised to the scene, where 10 bodies bearing gunshot wounds were recovered. The bodies were subsequently handed over to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. 

 The command said additional security personnel had been placed on alert and that joint teams involving police tactical units, the Police Mobile Force and the Nigerian Army had been deployed to the area. Commissioner of Police Edwin Ogbegaghagha reportedly directed security personnel to sustain operations, protect residents and pursue those responsible for the attack.

 The difference between the police-confirmed figure and the higher numbers reported by residents highlights the difficulty of establishing the full scale of attacks in remote communities. While the police initially confirmed 10 deaths, local accounts reported 26 victims, and a report published on October 25 said 37 bodies had been recovered during further searches. The figures could not be independently reconciled at the time of publication. 

Further confirmation from authorities is needed to establish the final number of victims. 

 The attack has renewed concerns about the protection of rural communities in Taraba State and the ability of security agencies to prevent repeated assaults on vulnerable settlements. Residents have called for stronger security arrangements and assistance for affected families, while the destruction of homes and food supplies has raised concerns about the community’s recovery. 

 The immediate priorities include protecting survivors, locating missing residents, supporting displaced families and ensuring that those responsible are identified and brought before the law.  

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