Gunmen on motorcycles kill at least 20 in Nigerian village

Armed assailants on motorcycles have killed at least 20 people in a raid on the rural village of Binnari in Nigeria's Taraba state, survivors confirmed, marking the latest deadly assault across the country's vulnerable rural communities.

The gunmen opened fire immediately following Friday prayers, triggering panic as residents fled into surrounding bushland.

"People were running in different directions to escape the attack. Nobody knew where it was safe to go," resident Isiyaku Musa said.

Both Musa and another villager, Sa'idu Nuhu, reported that at least 20 bodies were discovered once the attackers withdrew, with several other villagers still unaccounted for.

Police authorities stated that 10 bodies had been recovered by Friday evening.

Malam Abubakar Saifullahi, a community leader, said the raiding party arrived on approximately 50 motorcycles, carrying two-armed men per vehicle.

"They looted shops and took cash, foodstuffs and other provisions. They also took motorcycles abandoned by people fleeing the attack," Saifullahi added.

Taraba state, situated towards central Nigeria, has faced mounting violence from criminal "bandit" networks.

Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the state's security response, arguing that authorities continue to abandon northern rural communities to armed gangs acting with impunity.

"Consistent failure of the authorities to bring the suspected perpetrators to justice is clearly emboldening impunity," the rights organisation stated on social media.

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Source: TRT