The situation has prompted renewed appeals for urgent government intervention to protect civilians and restore calm to the area.
Former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the bloodshed in Lamurde, Adamawa State, as unacceptable and warned that it must not be allowed to continue.
The clashes between the Bachama and Tsobo communities have reportedly caused rising tension, destruction of property, and displacement of residents.
The situation has prompted renewed appeals for urgent government intervention to protect civilians and restore calm to the area.
Atiku in a statement on Wednesday expressed concern over the impact of the conflict on ordinary residents, saying, “I am gravely disturbed by the harrowing reports emerging from Lamurde, Adamawa State, where violent conflict has erupted between the Bachama and Tsobo communities.
“The bloodshed, destruction, and anguish being visited upon innocent citizens are unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.”
He emphasised the responsibility of the government to halt the violence, adding, “Both the Federal and State Governments have a solemn duty to act decisively now, to halt the spiraling violence, protect human life, and restore peace and order to the affected communities.”
Addressing reports of possible military involvement, Atiku said, “Even more distressing are the reports alleging that women protesters were shot and killed by soldiers of the 23rd Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yola. “Such an atrocity, if true, is not only shocking but an assault on our collective conscience. Although the Army has reportedly denied involvement, these conflicting accounts demand nothing less than a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation.
“The claims by locals and the counterclaims by the military must not be brushed aside. Nigeria deserves answers, and the victims deserve justice.”
He further underlined the need for accountability, saying, “The Federal and State Governments must pursue the truth to its very end. Whoever is responsible for these killings, civilian or military, must be held fully accountable under the law.
“At a time when the world is rallying to end gender-based violence, the brutal killing of women, or any citizen for that matter, in cold blood cannot be tolerated or excused.”
Paying tribute to affected families, Atiku said, “My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones, and to all who have been scarred by this senseless violence. May God comfort them and grant solace in this dark hour.”
He also expressed support for local leadership, saying, “I stand in full solidarity with the Hama Bachama, His Royal Majesty Dr. Daniel Isma’ila Shaga, and the entire Bachama Kingdom over this tragic situation.”
Finally, he urged reconciliation among the communities, saying, “I appeal to the warring communities; brothers and sisters by history and heritage, to pull back from the brink and choose peace. Only dialogue, mutual respect, and unity can lead us out of this crisis.”
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported that soldiers reportedly opened fire on female protesters in Lamurde on Monday, killing at least seven immediately, with the death toll later rising to nine and dozens more wounded.
The report added that the soldiers were escorting the commander of the 23 Brigade when the shooting occurred at Rigange Junction, after women gathered to protest delays in security response to earlier communal violence.
The 23 Brigade has since denied the allegation. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Army said none of its personnel shot at the protesters, adding that neither the Brigade Commander nor his escorts were present at the scene.
It also described the allegation as “baseless and misleading.”
The Army further claims that deaths attributed to the shooting resulted from indiscriminate gunfire by local militia during separate clashes in the area, not from soldiers.