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Gunmen kill at least 40 people in northeastern Nigeria, Amnesty International says

By Thomson Reuters Oct 24, 2026 | 2:03 PM

By Ahmed Kingimi and Adewale Kolawole

MAIDUGURI, Oct 24 (Reuters) – Gunmen killed at least ​40 people in ‌an attack on a village in Nigeria’s northeastern Taraba state on Friday afternoon, Amnesty International said.

• ‌A ​large group ⁠of gunmen carried ⁠out the attack on Binnari village, police said in a statement on Saturday

• ​Amnesty International said in a statement that while ⁠police had earlier ⁠confirmed the killing ​of 10 people, more bodies ​were recovered later on Saturday

• ‌The attackers invaded the village with heavy gunfire and looted food items from ⁠shops, police said

• Northern Nigeria has experienced a surge in attacks ⁠by ‌heavily armed criminal ⁠gangs, known locally ​as ‌bandits, who raid villages, ​abduct residents ⁠for ransom and steal livestock

(Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi and Adewale Kolewole, Writing by Nelson Banya, Editing by ​Rod Nickel)