Lamurde killing: A demand for truth and justice

Last week, Nigerians were shaken by the tragic killing of women protesters in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Initial news headlines reported that between seven and nine women had been killed and 11 others injured, but the death toll quickly climbed to 11 before the end of the week. More than a week since the incident, the initial outrage has faded, and the state government has imposed a curfew in Lamurde LGA, while security forces have been deployed to calm the situation. Many have moved on with their lives, and public attention has drifted elsewhere, forgetting the victims and their families. Yet the most important question remains unanswered: Who shot and killed these unarmed women, and why has no one been held accountable? The women, who were members of the Bachama community, were staging a protest over what they described as a delayed military response to attacks on their communities of Tingno and Waduku by suspected youths from the rival Chobo ethnic group. Daily Trust had previously reported on the long-running land dispute between the two communities, which has fuelled recurring violence. Despite peace efforts and a fragile settlement brokered by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, tensions persisted, and a fresh attack allegedly carried out by Chobo youths reportedly led to homes being set ablaze in Bachama communities. It was in response to these attacks that Bachama women took to the streets, carrying leaves, a traditional symbol of peaceful protest, and later blocked the movement of soldiers into the area. The women were said to have accused the security forces of biased intervention in favour of the Chobo community. But what followed was fatal. Eyewitnesses and members of the Bachama community insist that soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade, Yola, deployed to the area, opened fire on the unarmed women. The Nigerian Army, however, swiftly denied responsibility, claiming instead that local militias shot the protesters. In a statement, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Sector 4, Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, said troops engaged militants “professionally,” neutralised three gunmen, and restored order. He claimed the women were killed by militia fire due to “unprofessional handling of automatic weapons,” while insisting soldiers acted strictly within the rules of engagement. But this account has been met with widespread scepticism—not only because of Nigeria’s long history of unresolved allegations of excessive force by security agencies, but also because of how quickly the military absolved its personnel without announcing any investigation. More importantly, the consistent testimonies of eyewitnesses and survivors cannot be dismissed. One account alleges that a soldier first fired into the air, rattling others to open fire on the crowd of women. These claims demand urgent, independent verification. They must not be swept under the carpet. If soldiers indeed fired their weapons at peaceful protesters, the implications are grave. Beyond criminal responsibility, there would be a need to examine whether those involved were fit for deployment, including possible exposure to trauma or untreated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). None of this, however, can be determined without a credible investigation. In view of this, we at Daily Trust unequivocally condemn the killing of the unarmed women of Lamurde LGA. This was a grievous violation of human rights, and we find it difficult to believe that multiple eyewitnesses and survivors would fabricate such detailed accounts of what transpired. We therefore call on the Adamawa State Government to immediately establish an independent and transparent investigation into the killings, with a clear mandate to identify those responsible. The Nigerian Army should withdraw its premature statement of innocence and subject the officers involved to a thorough probe, including psychological evaluation where necessary. Any investigation must be immediate, transparent, and free from interference, and those found culpable must face the full weight of the law. The military must also recommit to professionalism, strict adherence to rules of engagement, and routine mental health assessments for personnel deployed to conflict zones. Meanwhile, all parties in Lamurde LGA must exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. The government must also identify and prosecute those who attacked Tingno and Waduku communities, which is the spark that led to the protests and ignited this tragedy. Failure to address such provocations only fuels cycles of revenge that eventually lead to habitual tit-for-tat killings, a situation that has today devastated many communities in Plateau, Benue, and Taraba states. The killing of innocent, unarmed women protesters in Lamurde LGA of Adamawa State must not be added to Nigeria’s long list of forgotten atrocities. The government owes their families and the nation truth, accountability, and justice.

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