At least 40 people were killed when gunmen attacked a village in Nigeria’s northeastern Taraba state on Friday, according to Amnesty International, as violence by armed groups continues to plague parts of the country.
The attack took place in Binnari village on Friday afternoon, when a large group of armed men stormed the community and opened fire on residents, police said in a statement on Saturday.
Police initially confirmed 10 deaths, but Amnesty International said the toll had risen to at least 40 after additional bodies were recovered on Saturday.
According to police, the attackers entered the village firing heavily before looting food supplies from local shops.
The identities of the gunmen and their motives were not immediately established.
The latest killings come amid a surge in attacks by heavily armed criminal groups, commonly known as bandits, across northern Nigeria.
The groups frequently raid rural communities, abduct residents for ransom, steal livestock and loot property, leaving thousands of people vulnerable to recurring violence.
Despite repeated security operations, Nigerian authorities have struggled to contain the attacks, particularly in remote areas where armed groups exploit limited security deployments and difficult terrain.
Authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the Binnari attack.
