Taraba Attack: Death Toll Hits 58 As 15 Drown Fleeing Assailants

The death toll from the October 23 attack on Binnari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has risen to 58, including 15 people who drowned while fleeing the assailants in an overloaded canoe.

The updated casualty figure was disclosed on Sunday by the Taraba State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, as the state government began distributing emergency relief materials to families affected by the attack.

Mshelizah attributed the increase in casualties to the recovery of additional bodies from surrounding bushes and a river following the attack, which occurred during market day.

“I just spoke with the DPO on the latest development in the area. He told me that 23 more bodies were recovered, while another 15 persons who were trying to escape from the attack through the river capsized and died,” he said.

According to the police spokesperson, the 15 victims drowned after a canoe conveying them overturned as they attempted to escape from the attackers.

“Because they were trying to run away from the attackers, they overloaded the canoe and it capsized in the river. Some of the bodies are missing, while 15 were recovered from the river,” he added.

The attack reportedly left several houses burnt, properties destroyed and families displaced, triggering outrage among residents who accused the authorities of failing to protect the community from repeated attacks by suspected bandits.

A trader identified simply as Adamu said the assailants operated for several hours without encountering resistance, leaving residents and traders at the mercy of the attackers.

“We have no government in place. For over four hours, bandits raided our community on market day, killing people at will and destroying goods in the market,” he lamented.

A hunter and member of the Youth Security Volunteers Vanguard in Karim-Lamido, Yimita Sunday, said Binnari’s remote location, poor road network and inadequate telecommunications services had made it difficult to establish contact with residents and determine the full extent of the casualties.

“I cannot tell you exactly what happened because the place is too far. I have been trying to get in touch with some of our members there, as well as a clergyman I know, but the network has not allowed me to reach them,” Sunday said.

He alleged that the attackers spent more than three hours shooting residents, setting houses ablaze and looting property, while the community remained largely inaccessible to those who could have provided immediate assistance.

An aide to the Karim-Lamido Local Government Chairperson, Pastor Ephraim Kwachi, said the attackers operated in a guerrilla-style manner before retreating towards settlements in neighbouring Plateau and Bauchi states.

Kwachi said the exact number of casualties was initially uncertain, although he believed more than 40 people had been killed when he last assessed the situation.

“I am not sure of the exact number as of today (Sunday), but the last time I saw the situation, the number of those killed was over 40,” he said.

He added that local hunters and vigilantes pursued the attackers into the forest before security personnel arrived, while security operatives had since taken control of the community.

“Life has returned to normal now, but because of the tense situation, I have been unable to go there. Security operatives have, however, taken over the community,” he said.

Kwachi disclosed that the council chairperson was in Kaduna State attending the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign when the attack occurred but returned to Taraba by road on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the Taraba State Government has commenced emergency assistance to affected families following a directive by Governor Agbu Kefas for immediate humanitarian intervention.

The intervention, coordinated by the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), involved an assessment of the destruction and the distribution of essential supplies to families who lost their homes and means of livelihood.

Leading the assessment and relief distribution team, TSEMA Executive Secretary, Dr Echuseh Audu, said the intervention was intended to provide immediate assistance to victims while the government worked towards the community’s recovery.

“We are here on behalf of the Taraba State Government to show solidarity and provide immediate succour to our brothers and sisters in Binnari.

Audu said the distribution marked the first phase of the government’s intervention, adding that further assistance would be provided based on an assessment of residents’ needs.

“This is just the first phase of intervention. The government is committed to not only providing food, shelter materials and essential supplies, but also ensuring long-term recovery and security for the community,” she said.

The relief materials included foodstuffs, mattresses, blankets and other essential non-food items to cushion the hardship faced by displaced families.

Audu said TSEMA was assessing the damage to determine additional humanitarian needs, while the state government was working with security agencies to restore peace and normalcy.

She urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could help prevent further attacks.

The relief distribution exercise was attended by members representing Karim-Lamido constituencies in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Anas Shuaibu Didango and Hon. Abner Shittu; the Vice Chairman of Karim-Lamido Local Government Council, Alhaji Uba Munyarda; traditional rulers and other community stakeholders.

The lawmakers commended Governor Kefas for his response and pledged continued collaboration with the state government to restore peace and stability in the affected community.

The attack has renewed concerns over the vulnerability of rural communities in Taraba State, where poor road infrastructure and weak telecommunications services continue to hamper emergency response efforts.

Residents have called for stronger security operations and sustained government intervention to prevent further attacks, protect lives and property, and restore public confidence in the authorities.