Death toll from gunmen's attack on Nigerian village rises to at least 62

Gunmen who attacked Binnari village in Nigeria's Taraba state have killed at least 62 people, and the death toll has risen as bodies continue to be recovered, Al Jazeera reported on October 27, 2026. The figure of at least 62 was confirmed by the National Emergency Management Agency, the federal body responsible for emergencies.

The attack took place on Friday, October 23, at about 3 p.m. Binnari is a community in the Karim-Lamido local government area. Attackers set fire to homes, shops, food supplies and motorcycles, leaving a trail of destruction across the village. India Today reported that at least 52 people were injured.

Ladan Ayuba, who heads the emergency management agency in Taraba state, said thousands of people had been displaced by the violence. Victor Mshelizah, a spokesperson for the Taraba police, warned that the death toll could rise further as more bodies are found.

The attack has reportedly been carried out by criminal groups known as bandits, according to Times of India and AP. Earlier counts were lower. Amnesty International, the human rights organization, told Reuters that at least 40 people had been killed, a figure Reuters published on October 24. Survivors had put the toll at 20 on Saturday, and Binnari resident Bashir Mamuda Musa said it had risen to 50.

The Taraba State government has mobilized emergency relief and food supplies to Binnari following the attack.