Amnesty International has condemned the deadly attack on Binnari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, in which at least 40 people were reportedly killed by gunmen on Friday.
The organisation said the death toll rose throughout the day as more bodies were recovered, hours after the police initially confirmed the killing of 10 people.
In a statement, Amnesty International said more bodies were still being discovered, while families continued to search for relatives reported missing after the attack.
The rights organisation said the gunmen, in addition to killing residents, burnt food supplies, houses, shops and motorcycles, leaving the community devastated.
It added that some of the bodies recovered from the scene were burnt beyond recognition, further compounding the grief of families searching for their loved ones.
Amnesty International expressed concern over what it described as the continued exposure of rural communities in parts of northern Nigeria to repeated attacks by armed groups.
It accused the authorities of failing to adequately protect vulnerable communities, warning that the repeated attacks and lack of accountability were allowing perpetrators to operate with impunity.
“The Nigerian authorities continue to leave rural communities in some parts of the north at the mercy of gunmen that repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity,” the organisation said.
It called for an impartial investigation into the attack, urging the authorities to ensure that those responsible were identified and brought to justice.
The organisation also called for adequate reparations for survivors and other victims affected by the violence.
Amnesty International said the government needed to go beyond issuing statements condemning attacks and demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting lives and property.
It stressed that the authorities must take concrete steps to improve security in vulnerable communities and ensure justice for victims of violent attacks.
According to the organisation, the persistent failure to prosecute suspected perpetrators of such attacks has contributed to a climate in which violence continues without meaningful consequences.
“Consistent failure of the authorities to bring the suspected perpetrators to justice is clearly emboldening impunity,” it said.
The attack on Binnari adds to concerns over the security of rural communities in northern Nigeria, where armed groups have carried out deadly raids, destroyed property and displaced residents.
Amnesty International urged the authorities to ensure that the latest incident did not end with another condemnation, but was followed by a credible investigation, accountability for those responsible and measures to prevent further attacks.