Discrepancies Emerge in Death Toll Following Deadly Attack on Taraba Community

A violent attack on the Binnari community in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has left residents reeling, with local accounts reporting a death toll of 50. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 10 fatalities initially confirmed by the Taraba State Police Command.

Conflicting Reports on Casualties

According to a report from Channels Television, the incident occurred on a Friday shortly after Jumu’ah prayers. The Taraba State Police Command, through Public Relations Officer ASP Victor Mshelizah, initially stated that 10 bodies bearing gunshot wounds had been recovered and returned to their families for burial. However, community members claim that subsequent searches of surrounding bushes and a nearby river revealed an additional 40 victims, including children who reportedly drowned or were struck by stray gunfire.

Security Challenges and Allegations

Residents allege that the attackers arrived from neighboring Plateau State armed with sophisticated weaponry. The raid involved the looting of food supplies, the destruction of residential homes, and the burning of shops and motorcycles. Babangida Ibrahim, commander of the local Hunters Association, noted that the arrival of police and military personnel eventually forced the assailants to retreat, though he emphasized that the lack of adequate equipment for local hunters hampers their ability to defend the community effectively.

Community stakeholders have pointed to infrastructure deficits as a major obstacle to security. Tanko Bobbo Andemin, a local leader, argued that the lack of proper road networks into Karim Lamido prevents security forces from responding to emergencies in a timely manner. Meanwhile, Anas Shuaibu, a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, has called on the Plateau State government to bolster border security to prevent armed groups from crossing into Taraba.

Government Response and Humanitarian Aid

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has condemned the violence and directed security agencies to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The state government has also highlighted its commitment to peacebuilding, noting a recent ₦1bn allocation to the Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management aimed at addressing long-standing tensions in the region.

In the immediate aftermath, the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has begun distributing relief materials to thousands of displaced residents. Echuseh Audu, Executive Secretary of SEMA, urged the community to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces as the state works to restore order. As of now, the victims have been laid to rest, and the state has deployed additional tactical units to secure the area against further incursions.

While the government continues to assess the full extent of the damage, the discrepancy between official police figures and community reports remains a point of concern for those affected by the tragedy.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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