Within minutes, panic engulfed the border village as heavily armed bandits stormed the community, shooting indiscriminately, looting shops and leaving a trail of destruction.For survivors of the October 23 attack, the ordeal was a desperate struggle for survival, with some fleeing through rivers only to encounter another deadly trap.
More than 80 people were reportedly killed in the massacre, while scores of residents fled their homes in search of safety.
Gunmen turn river escape into death trap
One of the survivors, Sale Mutum Daya, told The Nation that residents were observing Friday prayers when gunshots suddenly rang out.
According to him, villagers scrambled for hiding places, while others attempted to escape through nearby waterways.
He recalled that people had previously escaped similar attacks by running towards the river. But this time, the escape route became a death trap.
“Some jumped into the river while some entered the canoes. But the drivers of the canoes were shot, leading to the capsizing of the canoes. Both the old and young were affected,” he recounted.
Daya said he survived by hiding until the gunshots subsided before making his way to Wuro Jauro and eventually reaching safety.
For those who plunged into the water, however, the desperate attempt to escape reportedly ended in drowning.
Survivors count losses, appeal for help
The attack left several families grieving, while injured survivors struggled with medical bills and the loss of their belongings.
A survivor, who requested anonymity, said many victims were still receiving treatment in hospitals without the financial means to pay for their medical care.
“We lost several people. There are those in hospitals without money to pay for medical bills. We are calling on the government to intervene,” the survivor said.
Another resident lamented that the attackers carted away livestock, including goats and cattle, further worsening the hardship of affected households.
The assailants reportedly looted shops, food supplies and even cooked meals prepared by vendors. Some food reportedly taken away was still on fire.
The Taraba State Police Command initially reported that 10 bodies bearing gunshot wounds were recovered after the attack.
However, the death toll reportedly climbed above 80 as additional bodies were recovered from bushes and rivers in the days that followed.
Police spokesman Victor Mshelizah said security operatives were mobilised to the community after receiving reports of the invasion.
The attack has forced many residents to flee, amid fears of further violence.
Government promises security, reconstruction
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has extended Karim Lamido’s designation as a Special Area of Security Concern for another six months.
He directed security agencies to investigate the massacre, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
The governor also promised assistance for bereaved and displaced families, including food, medical care and other urgent needs.
For survivors of Binnari, however, the memories of that Friday afternoon remain painful: the gunshots, the burning homes and the terrifying waters that offered escape to some, but death to others.
