The United States has condemned an attack in northeastern Nigeria that killed at least 62 people, including children, and called on the Nigerian government to hold those responsible accountable.
In a statement posted on Friday, October 30, through its official African Affairs account on X, the US government denounced the October 23 attack in Taraba State, extending condolences to victims’ families and survivors.
The statement called on Nigeria to ensure justice for those killed and strengthen the protection of its citizens, saying the affected families deserved to live safely, freely and peacefully.
The attack occurred in Binnari community, Muri C Ward, within Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, where armed assailants reportedly stormed the settlement shortly after Friday congregational prayers.
The gunmen, suspected to be bandits, arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on residents during the community’s weekly market day, when traders and buyers from neighbouring settlements had gathered.
According to accounts from residents reported by Nigerian media, the attackers operated for approximately four hours, looting shops, stealing food supplies and motorcycles before setting houses and other property ablaze.
Several residents attempted to escape towards a nearby river as the attackers advanced. However, 15 people drowned while trying to cross the Benue River, with police accounts indicating that some victims were travelling in an overloaded canoe that capsized.
The death toll initially stood at 10, according to the Taraba State Police Command, before search operations recovered additional bodies from surrounding bushes and the river. Police later raised the figure to 58, including those who drowned.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) subsequently reported 62 deaths and 52 injuries following a preliminary assessment submitted by the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency.
NEMA further established that 7,123 people were affected by the violence, including 5,187 residents who were displaced from their homes. The agency said it was coordinating with local authorities to assess the needs of survivors and facilitate humanitarian assistance.
Following the attack, the Taraba State Police Command announced additional security deployments involving tactical police units, the Police Mobile Force, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to prevent further violence and pursue the perpetrators.
Governor Agbu Kefas also condemned the killings and directed security agencies to protect residents, restore normalcy and bring those responsible to justice.
The attack has renewed concerns about the security of rural communities in northern Nigeria, where armed criminal groups commonly referred to as bandits carry out village raids, kidnappings for ransom and attacks on civilians.
Although northeastern Nigeria has experienced a prolonged insurgency involving Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Binnari attack has been attributed to suspected criminal bandits, with no group publicly claiming responsibility.
Amnesty International Nigeria has also criticised the authorities over repeated attacks on rural communities, calling for an impartial investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.
The US condemnation adds to international calls for Nigeria to address insecurity and ensure that civilians in vulnerable communities are protected from further attacks.
