The attack, which occurred shortly after Friday Juma’at prayers, left homes burned, food crops destroyed, and many residents missing. Governor Agbu Kefas
Search Teams Recover 52 Bodies from Binnari Massacre
The death toll from the Binnari massacre remains a subject of evolving reports as search teams continue to recover bodies from the surrounding bush and the River Benue. Reports indicate that 51 people were buried on Saturday, October 24, and the discovery of an additional body on Sunday, October 25, brought the death toll to 52.
Amnesty International has reported a death toll of at least 40, noting that the difficulty of identifying victims—some of whom were burned beyond recognition—complicates the final count. The tragedy has left many families searching for missing relatives, many of whom are believed to have drowned in the river while attempting to escape. According to local accounts, many of the victims were visitors from Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Jigawa, and Yobe states who were in the area for market activities or seasonal rice farming.
Governor Agbu Kefas Extends Special Security Measures
In response to the violence, Governor Agbu Kefas announced the extension of the security designation during an emergency security meeting held at the Executive Chamber in T.Y. Danjuma House, Jalingo. This status was originally established in January 2026 through Executive Order No. 1 to combat recurring communal clashes, bandit attacks, and farmer-herder conflicts. The governor has directed relevant authorities to account for all missing persons and provide necessary support to affected families.
Governor Kefas condemned the attack and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property. The administration has also faced political scrutiny; however, the governor warned opposition figures against using the tragedy to score cheap political points. A statement from the Dr. Agbu Kefas Re-election Campaign Council, signed by Hon. Emmanuel Bello, challenged opposition figures like Senator Emmanuel Bwacha to present credible security blueprints rather than engaging in political theatrics.
Tactics and Motivations of the Attackers
Community leader Malam Abubakar Saifullahi reported that the attackers arrived on approximately 50 motorcycles, with two men on each vehicle. The assailants targeted the village, including a vigilante office located near the local mosque, killing worshippers, women, children, and vigilante members. The attack lasted for over three hours, during which the gunmen looted shops, seized cash, and stole food supplies and motorcycles abandoned by fleeing residents.
ASP Victor Mshelizah, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Command, stated that preliminary information indicated the attackers initially targeted food items and other valuables.
Regional Security Gaps and Calls for Accountability
The scale of the Binnari attack has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations. The organization further demanded that the government demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice for the victims and the security of rural residents.
Northern senators, led by Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, expressed shock and grief over the incident. The forum called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to strengthen security arrangements in the affected region. As the search for missing persons continues, the government has called for cooperation among community leaders and security agencies to ensure lasting peace in the local government area.