Mass Burial Held for Adamawa Women Shot Dead by Nigerian Soldiers

Lamurde, Adamawa State – In a scene marked by grief, outrage, and unresolved questions, nine women killed in Monday’s alleged army personnel shooting were laid to rest on Tuesday in a mass burial that drew thousands of mourners from Lamurde and neighbouring communities.

The solemn ceremony, held within the grounds of the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat, served both as a farewell and a community indictment. Leaders used the occasion to unveil the identities of the deceased: Florence Frank, Suzy Tanko, Marry Talmon, Mercy Kennedy, Lucky Yakubu, Pwamwasari Tami, Mary Shikauno, Destiny Gibson, and Hunbokwama Nickson.

Wrapped in white or grass-mats and laid side by side, the victims’ bodies formed a haunting tableau, intensifying the community’s anger over what many described as “an avoidable and unjustified tragedy.”

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The Bwate Youth Wing, representing several Bachama-speaking communities, condemned the Nigerian Army, insisting it was directly responsible for the deaths. Secretary-General Abner Kwakano said:

“We maintain without hesitation that the army opened fire on innocent women, resulting in deaths and injuries. This is the truth as witnessed directly by the community.”

Kwakano called for a transparent, independent investigation, warning that anything short of accountability would dishonour the victims’ memories.

However, the Chobo Youth Forum disputed claims of initiating the confrontation. In a statement signed by Secretary-General Engr. Gideon Sam, the forum alleged that Chobo communities were attacked and their villages razed by a Bachama militia.

“Efforts to pin the first aggression on Chobo youths are false, misleading, and dangerous,” the statement read.

As both sides trade accusations, the nation watches closely, pressing the Nigerian Army to clarify the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation and why unarmed women became casualties.