ABUJA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 58 bodies have been recovered after unknown gunmen attacked a community in Nigeria's northeastern Taraba State, police said Sunday, as rescue operations continued.
Victor Mshelizah, spokesman for the Taraba State police command, told Xinhua by telephone that the death toll from the attack, which occurred Friday in the Binnari community of Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, rose to 58 after 15 bodies of victims who fled the scene were recovered Sunday.
The police official said bodies were recovered from surrounding bushes and a river following the attack, which occurred on the community's weekly market day.
An overloaded canoe carrying victims to a nearby community capsized midway, he said, adding that more victims were still feared missing.
According to local media reports, more than 40 bodies were initially recovered by security personnel. The gunmen indiscriminately opened fire on people during the four-hour attack, leaving many houses burned and families displaced.
In a statement, the Taraba State government said it had begun distributing relief materials to assist rescued victims and affected families.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in the state, which has experienced deadly violence in recent years linked to communal clashes, banditry and ethno-religious tensions. ■