Lamurde & The Cost Of Waiting For Protection

State Failure & Security Accountability

Delayed Response, Deadly Consequences: How the Lamurde Crisis Exposed Nigeria’s Security Gaps

A Protest Against Inaction

THE women of Lamurde did not march for politics or power. They marched against delay.

As violence flared between the Bachama and Chobo communities in Adamawa State, residents say security forces were slow to intervene. That delay proved fatal—not only for those caught in communal clashes, but allegedly for seven women who dared to protest the inaction.

Their deaths have placed Nigeria’s security architecture under intense scrutiny.

From Communal Clash to Civilian Casualties

Lamurde’s unrest stems from a protracted land dispute, exacerbated by weak mediation and inconsistent enforcement of peace agreements. When fighting broke out again in early December, residents expected swift security deployment.

Instead, frustration mounted. Women took to the streets, blocking major highways and demanding immediate protection. What followed, according to witnesses, was a violent crackdown.

While early reports placed the death toll at over 11, official figures later confirmed seven deaths, alongside dozens injured and thousands displaced.

Who Fired the Shots?

At the heart of the controversy is a sharp contradiction.

Community leaders and eyewitnesses allege soldiers from the 23 Brigade in Yola opened fire on unarmed women protesters. The Nigerian Army insists troops acted professionally and that the women were killed by stray bullets fired by militia groups.

The lack of an independent, transparent account has deepened mistrust and anger.

Institutional Responses and Political Pressure

The military’s rebuttal has done little to calm tensions. Human rights organisations argue that even the possibility of security-force involvement demands an impartial investigation.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, acknowledged the tragedy, describing it as a painful breakdown of inter-communal trust. He urged dialogue and reconciliation but admitted that security forces alone cannot resolve the crisis.

For critics, that admission underscores a systemic failure.

Displacement, Trauma, and a Fragile Calm

Beyond the deaths, Lamurde now bears the scars of displacement. More than 3,000 residents remain in IDP camps. Entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed. Survivors carry physical injuries and psychological trauma.

While curfews and troop presence have restored relative calm, residents fear that without justice and lasting solutions, violence could return.

A Test Case for Accountability

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s promise to establish a judicial panel of inquiry is now seen as a critical test of political will. Civil society groups insist the panel must be independent, time-bound, and empowered to hold individuals and institutions accountable.

The Lamurde crisis, they warn, is not just about Adamawa—it reflects a national pattern where delayed security responses and excessive force collide with civilian desperation.