By Zainab Imam
At least seven women protesters were reportedly killed on Monday after troops of the Nigerian Army allegedly opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, sparking outrage and renewed concerns over the use of lethal force against civilians.
The incident occurred at Rigange Junction, Lamurde, where the women had gathered to protest what they described as the delayed response of security agencies to an earlier violent attack on communities in the area by suspected militia.
According to eyewitness accounts and community leaders, the soldiers involved were part of a convoy escorting the Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army based in Yola when they encountered the protesting women. The protesters were said to have been unarmed and demanding answers over insecurity and the failure of security forces to arrive on time during the earlier attack.
Residents alleged that the soldiers opened fire on the crowd, killing seven women on the spot. Several others sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Numan General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. The total number of injured persons has been put between five and eleven by different sources.
Community sources said the women had come out in anger and grief after suspected armed militia attacked nearby villages earlier in the day, leaving residents traumatised and accusing security forces of arriving hours after the attackers had fled.
“The women were protesting negligence and insecurity. They were not violent. Instead of dialogue, bullets were used,” a local leader was quoted as saying.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official statement confirming or denying the incident. Calls for clarification from military authorities had also not been responded to publicly.
The tragic shooting has heightened tension in Lamurde and surrounding communities, with residents calling for an independent investigation, accountability for those responsible, and justice for the victims.
Civil society groups and rights advocates are also expected to weigh in, as the incident adds to ongoing national concerns about crowd control, protest management, and civilian safety during security operations.
The Adamawa State Government has yet to formally comment on the incident, but local sources say security presence has been reinforced in the area to prevent further unrest.
More details are expected as official investigations and responses unfold.