Amnesty International Nigeria said at least 40 people were killed in the Oct. 23 attack in Binnari; police initially reported 10 deaths, while later community accounts cited by Channels Television put the toll at 50.
The Taraba State Police Command said officers recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds and handed them to families for burial, in a statement carried by Channels Television. The command said additional personnel and joint security teams had been deployed to the area. EconoTimes previously reported the police’s initial death toll.
Channels Television reported that community members searching nearby areas recovered 37 bodies. The broadcaster later cited community accounts that put the toll at 50 after further searches in bushes and a river; that count was not an official final tally. Anadolu Agency reported a separate state-government figure of 25 but did not identify the official or statement behind it. The reported counts have not been reconciled.
Amnesty said at least 40 people had died and recovery work had turned up further victims. It reported that fires destroyed homes, shops, motorcycles and food supplies, and that families had reported people missing. The organization called for an impartial investigation and reparations for survivors.
Channels Television reported that the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency had delivered relief supplies, citing Executive Secretary Echuseh Audu. The broadcaster also said thousands of residents had reportedly fled to neighboring communities. Community stakeholder Tanko Bobbo Andemin told the broadcaster that poor roads hinder security forces’ access to affected areas.
Police described the attackers as suspected armed bandits, while Amnesty called them gunmen. Neither identified a group responsible. Channels Television also relayed a community allegation that Binnari had been attacked three times previously.
