The Nigerian Army has denied allegations that its personnel were involved in the killing of female protesters during a communal clash in Adamawa State, describing the claims as “baseless” and “deliberately distorted.”
The accusations, circulated on several online platforms, alleged that troops opened fire on women during unrest between the Bachama and Chobo communities in Lamurde Local Government Area (LGA) on Monday, 8 December.
In a statement issued by Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for Sector 4 under Operation Hadin Kai, the Army said the report was “unfounded and intended solely to smear the Brigade, its Commander, and by extension the Nigerian Army.”
Captain Abidoye said the Commander of 23 Brigade was not at the scene of the alleged shooting, adding that he had been participating virtually in the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational briefing at the time.
According to the Army, the crisis began in the early hours of Monday after renewed tensions over unresolved land disputes and long-standing ethnic grievances.
Security personnel from the Army, Police, NSCDC and DSS were deployed across Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku and Lamurde to contain the violence.
As the joint team advanced, they reportedly came under fire from a militia group aligned to one of the communities.
The Army said troops responded “decisively,” neutralising three gunmen and recovering five more bodies and a motorcycle along the militia’s retreat route.
The situation escalated when intelligence suggested that a faction planned an attack on the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat.
While moving to secure the facility, soldiers encountered a blockade mounted by women attempting to stop their passage, even as suspected Bachama fighters were said to be firing sporadically nearby.
Despite the obstruction, the troops managed to pass through safely and secured the Secretariat.
Captain Abidoye stressed that no soldier fired at the women, saying their ability to navigate the crowd without incident “clearly indicated” that the allegation was false.
He added that two women’s bodies were later brought to the Local Government Lodge by residents who claimed soldiers were responsible.
The Army insisted the deaths were caused by “unprofessional handling of automatic weapons” by local militias lacking proper training.
The Brigade sent condolences to the families of the deceased and urged both communities to prioritise peace to avoid further bloodshed.
It reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional duties and ongoing stabilisation efforts in the region.
Headquarters 23 Brigade therefore called on the public to disregard the “malicious” report.
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