A report alleging that the escort of a Brigade Commander shot women protesters during a communal clash has been categorically denied by the Headquarters 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
The Army’s attention was drawn to the “baseless report” published by Sahara Reporters and other online media on Monday, December 8, 2025. The Headquarters 23 Brigade stated that the allegations are “bereft of truth and therefore entirely misleading,” calling the report an attempt to “smear the image” of the Nigerian Army.
The Official Account
The Brigade provided a detailed timeline to set the record straight:
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Communal Clash: Combined security forces, including the Army, Police, NSCDC, and DSS, received information about a clash between the Bachama and Chobo tribes of Lamurde LGA, Adamawa State, around 1:30 AM on Monday. The conflict was linked to unresolved land disputes.
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Commander’s Alibi: The Brigade Commander was not present at the scene of the violence; he was virtually attending the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational brief.
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Troop Engagement: Troops swiftly deployed to the affected areas (Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku, and Lamurde). A militia armed group suspected of fighting for the Chobo community attacked the troops.
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Firefight: Troops decisively engaged the militia in a firefight, resulting in the neutralization of three gunmen. An additional five neutralized armed men and a motorcycle were later discovered along the withdrawal route.
The Women’s Deaths
The Army addressed the claim of shooting women:
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Troops moving to secure the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat (LGS) were initially blocked by women. The Army stated that no woman was shot or injured at that point, as troops were able to create a passage and secure the LGS.
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Later, two corpses of women were brought to the Local Government Lodge by community members who alleged they were killed by the troops.
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The Brigade stated unequivocally that the casualties were caused by the “unprofessional handling of automatic weapons by the local militias” who lack the necessary training.
Headquarters 23 Brigade emphasized its commitment to constitutional duties and urged the general public to disregard the malicious report. The Brigade also offered sympathy to the families of the slain women and appealed to the warring communities to embrace peace.
