Gunmen invade Taraba community, kill residents, cart away motorcycles

On Friday evening, a group of gunmen invaded the town of Binnari in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, committing a violent attack that left several residents dead. The assailants, traveling on motorcycles, entered the town at around 3pm and began firing indiscriminately, targeting people from all walks of life.

According to Alhaji Tanko Andami, a local community leader, the attackers arrived on 50 motorcycles, with two men per motorcycle, and launched their assault on a Friday, which is traditionally a market day.

The gunmen's primary objective was clear: they not only killed and wounded numerous residents but also looted shops and seized valuable items such as motorcycles. The attackers took away both new and abandoned motorcycles, leaving behind a trail of destruction and desperation in their wake. Andami recounted the harrowing scene, describing how the attackers blocked the town's entrances while others infiltrated the bustling market, causing chaos and confusion among the crowds.

As night fell, the community began to grapple with the aftermath of the attack. A burial was held for those who lost their lives, and efforts were made to locate those missing. The Taraba State Police Commissioner, ASP Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the horrific incident, stating that the attackers had killed at least 10 people. In response to the crisis, security personnel were swiftly deployed to the affected area.

The community leader appealed to the Taraba State governor and security agencies to take urgent action to restore peace and security in the region, particularly in the wake of recent banditry activities in the area surrounding the Plateau and Bauchi borders with Taraba State.