TARABA: 15 people fleeing bandits drowned, while the death toll from the attack reached 58

Fifteen people who attempted to flee a terror attack on their community in Binnari, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of ​​Taraba State have reportedly drowned, bringing the death toll from the attack to 56.

Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, who revealed the latest casualty figures on Sunday, said the latest toll increased following the discovery of additional bodies in nearby bushes and rivers following Friday’s attack.

The attack, which occurred on market day, reportedly caused several houses to burn down, property to be destroyed and many families to flee. Residents accused authorities of failing to protect the community from repeated attacks allegedly carried out by bandits.

Providing an update on the casualties, Mshelizah said she had spoken to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, who briefed her on the latest developments.

“I just spoke to the DPO regarding the latest developments in the area. He told me that 23 more bodies were found, while 15 other people who tried to escape the attack via the river drowned,” he said.

According to a police spokesman, the victims drowned after a canoe carrying them capsized as they tried to escape from the attackers.

“Because they were trying to escape from the attackers, their canoe was overloaded and capsized in the river. Several bodies were missing, while 15 people were found in the river,” he added.

Mshelizah assured residents that the command remained committed to restoring lasting peace and protecting the lives and property of the affected communities.

However, the attacks have sparked outrage among residents, who lament the vulnerability of their communities to armed attacks and call for stronger security measures.

A hunter and member of the Vanguard Youth Security Volunteers in Karim-Lamido, Yimita Sunday, said Binnari’s remote location, poor road network and inadequate telecommunications services made it difficult to contact residents and find out the total number of victims.

“I can’t tell you what really happened because it’s too far away. I’ve tried to contact some of our members there, as well as a pastor I know, but the network won’t let me contact them,” said Sunday.

He accused the attackers of spending more than three hours shooting residents, burning homes and looting property, while large parts of the community remained inaccessible to those who could have provided immediate assistance.

Sunday said difficult terrain and poor roads had hampered efforts to reach victims, leaving affected residents with limited options to flee to safety or get urgent help.

An aide to Karim-Lamido Local Government Chairman, Pastor Ephraim Kwachi, said the attackers operated in a guerrilla style before retreating towards settlements in neighboring Plateau and Bauchi states.

Kwachi said the exact number of victims could not be confirmed initially, but he believed more than 40 people had died.

He added that local hunters and vigilantes chased the attackers into the forest before security officials arrived, while security officials had taken over control of the community.

“Life is back to normal now, but because of the tense situation, I couldn’t go there. However, the security forces have taken over the community,” he said.

Kwachi revealed that the council chairman was in Kaduna State to attend the campaign opening of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when the attack occurred, but returned to Taraba by road on Saturday evening.