Justice for Lamurde Women: Hon. Vrati  Condemns Army Shooting of Unarmed Women, Demands Justice

By Emmanuel Kwada 

In a scathing rebuke of what he described as “extrajudicial killings,” prominent leader Hon. Vrati Nzonzou has condemned the Nigerian Army’s fatal shooting of at least nine unarmed women in Lamurde Local Government Area (LGA), demanding immediate accountability and justice for the victims.

The incident unfolded on Monday, December 8, amid escalating communal tensions in the villages of Rigange, Tingno, and Waduku. Soldiers from the 23rd Armored Brigade in Yola, deployed to quell unrest, allegedly opened fire on a group of protesting women around 2:30 p.m. in Lamurde town.

The women, described as unarmed and carrying fresh leaves as symbols of peace, were demonstrating against the earlier shooting of three unarmed youths by the same troops in Rigange that morning.

Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of horror as the women; mothers, wives, and sisters fell in pools of blood along the main road, witnessed by hundreds of residents.

Several others were injured in the chaos, including an 11-year-old girl who was shot while observing the protest from the sidelines. Video evidence circulating widely on social media shows the aftermath, contradicting initial statements from military spokespersons.

“My heart breaks following the news of the killing of unarmed women in Lamurde by soldiers who are sent there to maintain peace, protect lives and properties,” Hon. Vrati stated in a press release issued Monday.

“The unprofessional conduct happened in broad daylight in the presence of hundreds of people. I join thousands of the good people of Lamurde LGA and millions of Nigerians to demand justice for the 9 women and 3 youths murdered in cold blood.”

The Bwatiye-speaking communities of Lamurde LGA, already reeling from the day’s violence, have united in outrage, accusing the army of gross human rights abuses.

“These were innocent women exercising their right to protest peacefully,” said a spokesperson for the Women Wing of the Pene Da Bwatiye cultural group, which lost several members in the shooting.

The group has mobilized thousands of women and youths for protests in nearby Numan metropolis on Monday, vowing to continue until those responsible are held accountable.

Hon. Vrati, a respected figure in Adamawa politics, called on the military high command to reinforce rules of engagement training for troops, emphasizing professionalism when interacting with civilians—particularly women and children.

“An 11-year-old girl that was watching the protesters from the sidelines was also shot; that is also a testament to the serious lack of professionalism,” he noted.

He urged Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to ensure the perpetrators “face the wrath of the law” and pressed the House of Representatives member for Numan, Demsa, and Lamurde to raise the issue at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Women’s rights organizations and non-governmental groups have announced plans for escalated protests and potential legal challenges against the army, citing violations of international human rights standards.

The Nigerian Army’s Public Relations Officer for the 23rd Armored Brigade in Yola issued a brief statement late Sunday, describing the event as a “regrettable misunderstanding” during a “tense security operation.”

However, Hon. Vrati dismissed it as a “blatant effort to cover up the crimes,” pointing to the “overwhelming video evidence of the victims” and the sheer number of witnesses as irrefutable proof.

As a self-proclaimed “patriotic Nigerian and responsible leader,” Hon. Vrati expressed unwavering support for the nation’s security forces but drew a firm line at impunity.

“I support our military and security men any day, any time, but that doesn’t mean we should tolerate extrajudicial killings or the abuse of human rights by our men in uniform,” he said.

“The rule of law must be maintained, and because that is a cardinal Democratic principle which the APC administration of President Bola Tinubu is guarding jealously.”

As investigations loom, the people of Lamurde wait for answers—and justice—for their fallen daughters.