News Rendezvous

News Rendezvous Adamawa State has been thrown into mourning and tension after soldiers deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Lamurde Local Government Area allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing at least nine people and injuring several others.The victims five of them women were part of a peaceful demonstration calling attention to the government’s failure to protect rural communities from repeated attacks by unidentified armed groups. What was expected to be a calm march tragically turned violent.Eyewitnesses told News Rendezvous that the women were chanting for protection and carried no weapons of any kind when soldiers confronted them.“They were simply asking the government to protect them. They carried nothing, no weapons at all,” one witness recounted.

Violence Spreads Across Communities

The shootings sparked immediate chaos. What began as a protest quickly degenerated into communal clashes as anger and confusion spread across the region. Several communities, Tingno, Suwa, Balaifi, Wami 1, Wami 2, and Waduku were reportedly engulfed in violence and set ablaze.Local sources inside the affected areas warned that the real death toll may be much higher than early reports indicate.“The situation is far worse on the ground. More bodies are still being discovered,” one source told News Rendezvous.As fear gripped the area, residents fled their homes in large numbers, raising urgent humanitarian concerns.

Lawmaker Laori Condemns Killings Said it’s Becoming a Habit Because it has Happened Before

Reacting to the tragedy, Rt. Hon. Kwamoti B. Laori, Member Representing Demsa, Numan, and Lamurde Federal Constituency, issued a stern condemnation of the military’s actions saying this has happened before and no one was held accountable and the killing of innocent civilians from his community must stop. He described the shootings as unjustifiable, inhumane, and a gross violation of human rights.Laori recalled previous incidents including Dong, Kodomti, Lawaru, Nzuruwe, and Shaforon in 2017 where civilians were also killed by security personnel without accountability.“It is deeply troubling that our communities are once again confronted with the same pattern of violations and impunity,” Laori said.He demanded a transparent and independent investigation, insisting that those responsible must face justice.“Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done,” he added.The lawmaker urged residents to remain calm while calling on security agencies to act with restraint.

Authorities Yet to Respond

As at the time of publishing, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Adamawa State Government had issued an official statement on the incident. Tension remains extremely high across Lamurde and neighbouring communities, with fears of further reprisals.

Background:

This is the right time to asked, Who Ordered the release of the 550 suspicious travellers coming to Adamawa and Stationed them around the Adamawa- Gombe Border? Suspicious Movement of Two Trailer Loads of TravellersThe deadly protest did not occur in isolation. In the days leading up to the crisis, the Bwatiye community had raised alarm over the arrival of two trailer-loads of travellers about 550 people, mostly believed to be from Niger Republic who were dropped near the Adamawa–Gombe boundary, close to the conflict zone.

Community members questioned why such a large group was transported into the area without explanation, especially amid escalating insecurity. Local leaders accused authorities of ignoring their concerns, further heightening suspicion and fear.Many residents believe this failure to address early warnings contributed to the rising tension that eventually exploded into the tragic confrontation with soldiers.