At least 64 civilians and local defenders were killed across Nigeria during the week, while villagers, hunters, and security forces killed an estimated 65 suspected bandits and terrorists in counterattacks.
By Ezinwanne Onwuka
ABUJA, Nigeria — A rural market day in Taraba State turned into one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks of the year after armed bandits stormed Binnari village in Karim Lamido County, killing at least 52 people and forcing survivors to search nearby bushes and rivers for missing relatives. The massacre capped a violent week that also saw communities in Zamfara battle bandits for three days, hunters kill 14 suspected kidnappers in Katsina, and Nigerian troops report killing 21 suspected terrorists in Borno State.
The massacre was among a series of attacks that killed at least 64 civilians and local civilian guards across Nigeria during the week, while security forces and community defenders killed an estimated 65 suspected criminals and militants in counterattacks and military operations.
Death Toll Rises to 52 After Binnari Massacre
Shortly after Friday’s Juma’at prayers on October 23, bandits riding dozens of motorcycles stormed Binnari, a rural village in Karim Lamido County, Taraba State, and opened fire from several directions.
Residents scrambled for safety. Some ran into nearby bushes and a river to escape the gunfire, while others fled toward neighboring communities.
After the bandits left, residents began searching for missing relatives and neighbors. They said they counted more than 20 bodies, but police reported only 10 deaths on Friday evening.
As search teams combed the surrounding bushes and a nearby river, they found more victims. Amnesty International Nigeria reported at least 40 deaths on Saturday, October 24, as the search continued.
The toll rose further on Sunday, October 25. Daily Trust reported that residents had buried 51 victims on Saturday and recovered another body on Sunday, bringing the reported death toll to 52.
The attack also wounded several residents, including six-month-old Adamu Rayyanu, who sustained gunshot injuries.
Villagers Defend Themselves Against Bandits, Kill 30
Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria faced attacks in two villages during the week, with residents in one village fighting off bandits over three days and local guards dying in a separate assault on Kaura Namoda.
In Birnin Tudu, a community in Gummi County, residents fought back against bandits who arrived on motorcycles and spread across the area. Local reports described more than 100 motorcycles carrying armed men, with three people reportedly riding on each bike.
According to LEADERSHIP, the bandits attacked on three consecutive days—Sunday, October 18; Monday, October 19; and Tuesday, October 20—as they tried to overrun the village.
On Sunday, residents reportedly killed 11 bandits while defending the community. They said another seven died in Monday’s fighting. When the bandits returned on Tuesday, villagers again repelled them, bringing the reported number of bandits killed to about 30.
The police supported the community’s defense, according to Zamfara State police spokesman DSP Yazid Abubakar, who said the divisional police officer in Gummi led officers in the operation alongside residents.
The fighting also claimed civilian lives. Residents told Daily Trust that three people died inside Birnin Tudu, while others were killed in nearby communities. Several residents suffered injuries.
Around midnight on Friday, October 23, bandits attacked Kaura Namoda, another village in Zamfara State, killing seven members of the village defense group and abducting an undetermined number of residents.
The attackers entered through a riverine route and struck the Kofar Zurmi and Old Market areas. Residents said the assault lasted more than three hours.
Munnir Haidara, chairman of Kaura Namoda County, confirmed that seven members of the local Joint Task Force had died. Several others suffered injuries and received hospital treatment.
On Saturday, October 24, the local council was still compiling information to establish how many residents the bandits had abducted. A resident told Daily Trust that more than 30 people might have been taken.
Residents said the attackers used an alternative route near a river to bypass positions normally guarded by local vigilantes before engaging the defenders in a prolonged exchange of gunfire.
One resident also reported that the bandits entered the home of an Islamic teacher, killed a young boy and abducted some of the cleric’s children.
Hunters Kill 14 Bandits After Attack on Travelers
Community hunters in Gidan Wawo village, Katsina State, killed 14 suspected bandits and rescued three travelers during a gunbattle on Friday, October 23, the state government said.
The government said authorities had received intelligence that 26 armed men riding 13 motorcycles were heading toward Dawan Laila Forest in Bakori County, possibly to carry out mass kidnappings.
Officials identified the suspected gang leader as Isiya Kwashen Garwa, a bandit leader operating across Katsina and Zamfara states. Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters placed him on a wanted list in 2022 with a ₦5 million bounty.
At about 1:30 p.m. Friday, authorities received reports that bandits had attacked travelers moving from Kakumi Ward toward Illela market in neighboring Sokoto State. The attackers reportedly set a vehicle on fire.
Hunters from Gidan Wawo mobilized and engaged the bandits in a gunbattle. The Katsina State Government said the hunters killed 14 suspected bandits and rescued three travelers.
The encounter also claimed two lives. Jamilu Lawal, 50, died after the vehicle caught fire, while 29-year-old community hunter Mohammed Ibrahim Jidda died defending the area. Another hunter, 25-year-old Usman Sunday, suffered minor gunshot injuries.
Military Reports Killing 21 Suspected Terrorists
In northeastern Borno State, Nigerian troops reported killing 15 suspected terrorists in an airstrike northwest of Pulka at about 11:50 p.m. on Thursday, October 23.
Operation Hadin Kai, the military command responsible for counterinsurgency operations in northeastern Nigeria, said the strike followed intelligence reports and confirmed sightings of suspected terrorist movements. Ground troops subsequently moved into the area.
In a separate operation shortly after midnight on Sunday, October 25, troops ambushed suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (Boko Haram) fighters along the Targejeri axis of Kaga County.
The military reported killing six suspected terrorists and recovering an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition and mobile phones.
Ezinwanne is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
