- Nine Adamawa women allegedly killed by Nigerian soldiers have been buried in a mass grave.
- Families and community leaders accuse the Nigerian Army of opening fire on unarmed women.
- Victims’ names released as calls for an independent investigation grow louder.
- Chobo forum counters the allegations, blaming Bachama militia for initiating violence.
Tension and sorrow gripped Lamurde on Tuesday as the nine Adamawa women allegedly killed by Nigerian Army personnel were laid to rest in a mass burial inside the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat grounds.
The victims: Florence Frank, Suzy Tanko, Marry Talmon, Mercy Kennedy, Lucky Yakubu, Pwamwasari Tami, Mary Shikauno, Destiny Gibson, and Hunbokwama Nickson were wrapped in white cloth and traditional grass mats, then placed side by side for the final rites.
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The crowd that gathered was massive. Many mourners openly wept, while others silently watched the heartbreaking scene, holding placards demanding truth and accountability.
The Bwate Youth Wing, representing several Bachama-speaking communities, strongly condemned the military’s actions. Its Secretary-General, Abner Kwakano, stated:
“We maintain without hesitation that the army opened fire on innocent women. Lives were lost and injuries were inflicted. This is the truth as directly witnessed by our people.”
He insisted that only a transparent and independent investigation could restore faith in justice, saying anything less would be “a disgrace to the memory of the women.”
However, the Chobo Youth Forum sharply disagreed with the narrative. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Engr. Gideon Sam, the group denied that its militia triggered the confrontation.
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Instead, they claimed their villages were attacked and razed by a Bachama militia, describing attempts to blame Chobo youths as “false, misleading, and dangerous.”
The conflicting accounts have deepened confusion, but residents agree on one thing: the deaths demand answers.
The Nigerian Army has faced several accusations of extrajudicial killings in the past, including the controversial clash with Shiite members. The institution has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, yet incidents like this continue to raise public concern.
