TARABA ATTACK: RESIDENTS FEAR OVER 50 KILLED AS POLICE CONFIRM 48 DEATHS

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Residents of Binnari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State are mourning following a deadly gunmen attack that reportedly claimed more than 50 lives last week.

The assailants reportedly stormed the community shortly after Friday prayers, opening fire on residents, looting food supplies and setting shops and motorcycles ablaze.

A resident who spoke to BBC Hausa described the incident as terrifying, saying the community had never experienced such widespread violence and panic.

“We have never witnessed violence and panic like this before,” he said.

According to the resident, the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and headed straight to the local market, where they began shooting indiscriminately at traders and other residents.

“They came on at least 150 motorcycles and started shooting indiscriminately, which threw people into panic,” he said.

He explained that traders were going about their daily activities when gunshots suddenly rang out, forcing people to flee in different directions. Some reportedly jumped into a nearby pond in an attempt to escape the attackers.

“We were in the middle of trading when we suddenly heard gunshots. People fled immediately, and many jumped into the water in a pond near the market in an attempt to escape,” he added.

The resident further disclosed that the attackers surrounded the market from different directions before launching their assault, leaving people with limited escape routes.

“They surrounded the market from every corner, east and west, north and south. They entered the market from everywhere,” he said.

He added that he initially believed the gunmen would eventually leave the community.

However, the Taraba State Police Command has put the death toll at 48, disputing residents’ claims that more than 50 people were killed.

The police spokesperson, Victor Mshelizah, said the number of confirmed fatalities increased after 23 additional bodies were recovered on Sunday.

According to him, police investigations indicated that some victims drowned while attempting to escape the attackers, while others were killed in nearby forests.

Despite the police figure, residents maintain that the number of people killed in the attack exceeds 50.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault.