Adamawa: Shots from Soldiers Reportedly Kill Seven Women as Protest over Delayed Military Response Turns Deadly

Seven women were killed and 11 others injured in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday after soldiers reportedly opened fire during a demonstration against what protesters described as delayed and biased security intervention in the renewed Bachama–Chobo conflict.

The women, carrying leafy branches traditionally used to signal peaceful intentions, gathered on the road to stop military vehicles from entering the troubled area. Residents said they wanted security forces to respond more firmly and impartially to the recent attacks that had unsettled their communities. Witnesses at the scene reported that tensions rose when troops attempted to push through the barricade, leading to gunfire that struck several of the protesters.

Four women died instantly, according to community accounts, while three others were confirmed dead in hospital. Medical personnel at Numan General Hospital said several of the injured remain in critical condition. Community leader Chief Agoso Bamaiyi described the demonstration as a desperate plea for protection, insisting the women posed no threat.

The incident occurred amid a fragile and deteriorating security environment. Violence first reignited between the Bachama and Chobo communities between July 7 and 11, when attacks on Rigangun and Waduku led to the burning of homes and the displacement of residents. Authorities imposed a curfew at the time, but renewed confrontations resurfaced in recent days following accusations over a stolen motorcycle, which further strained relations already weakened by long-standing land disputes.

Following Monday’s deaths, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri imposed a fresh 24-hour curfew on Lamurde, directing security personnel to move immediately into affected locations to prevent escalation. His office urged residents to comply fully with the restrictions and cooperate with law enforcement as additional troops and police units were deployed.

The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed that fatalities were recorded but said it was too early to release an official number. Police spokesperson S.P. Suleiman Nguroje noted that investigators had been sent to the scene and that tactical units were already working to stabilize the area. He cautioned the public against speculation and asked for patience while authorities determine the sequence of events.

Security agencies have struggled to contain the cycle of reprisals in Lamurde. Local dispute-resolution processes—once effective in mediating disagreements over farmland, riverbank access and seasonal boundary adjustments—have weakened over the past year. Both communities have increasingly relied on armed youth groups for protection, a development that elders say has deepened mistrust and reduced the chances of negotiated settlements.

The deaths of the women have heightened anxiety across the Numan Federation, where residents fear that the situation could slide further if security responses continue to be viewed as uneven or delayed. Community leaders are calling for an independent review of the shooting and for renewed efforts to restore confidence between local populations and the security forces tasked with protecting them.