Tension Boils Over: Angry Residents Storm Streets Over Alleged Army Killings Of Women

Fresh protests erupted on Tuesday in Numan Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State, as residents demanded justice for women allegedly killed by Nigerian Army personnel during efforts to restore order in neighboring Lamurde LGA.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The unrest followed intensified communal clashes on Monday between the Bachama and Chobo communities, prompting the Adamawa State Government to impose a 24-hour curfew in Lamurde.

According to Daily Trust, tensions escalated when a group of women staged a protest in Lamurde, accusing the military of a delayed and biased response that reportedly favored the Chobo community. The women, said to be unarmed and holding leaves, attempted to block troop movements into the volatile area.

Sources allege that during the confrontation, military personnel fired into the crowd, killing four women instantly, with three others succumbing to injuries in the hospital, bringing the civilian death toll to seven. Eleven additional individuals sustained various injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Numan General Hospital, with casualty numbers expected to rise.

While protesters blamed the army for the fatalities, the Nigerian Army claimed that untrained local militias mishandled firearms, resulting in the deaths.

In response to the crisis, the Adamawa State Government enforced a 24-hour curfew in Lamurde and deployed security operatives to maintain order. Some of the victims’ remains were returned to Lamurde for burial.

Protesters, including Humwapwa Nanso, Bwalason Samson, and Wisdom Christopher, condemned the delayed response of security forces, which they said allowed the violence to escalate.

Nanso stated, “Our women were killed by uniformed personnel, leaving us with grief in our hearts. As women, we call on the government to protect our rights, because, according to the Nigerian Constitution, we all have the right to life.”

Samson added, “Those who fired the bullets stopped the car, stopped the truck. I have never seen military personnel go down on their knees, aim at unarmed women at close range, and fire bullets so rapidly. Over 20 people were shot on the spot, and five lay dead. No one had any weapons; we were simply holding leaves.”