By RismadarVoice Media, December 10, 2025
A wave of grief, anger, unanswered questions swept through Lamurde on Tuesday December 9, 2025 as nine women allegedly killed by soldiers during Monday’s violent confrontation were laid to rest in a heart-wrenching mass burial that drew thousands from across the region.
The mass burial, held within the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat, became more than a farewell ceremony; it was a public indictment of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis and a haunting reminder of a tragedy many residents think “should never have happened.”
The victims, whose names were formally released at the burial, are:
Florence Frank, Suzy Tanko, Marry Talmon, Mercy Kennedy, Lucky Yakubu, Pwamwasari Tami, Mary Shikauno, Destiny Gibson, and Hunbokwama Nickson.
Wrapped in white shrouds and local mats placed side-by-side their bodies formed a chilling sight that many mourners said would “haunt the conscience of the nation.”
Tensions flared during the funeral as the Bwate Youth Wing, representing several Bachama-speaking communities, issued a blistering accusation against the Nigerian Army.
Its Secretary-General, Abner Kwakano, spoke sharply:
“We maintain without hesitation that; the Army opened fire on innocent women, resulting in death and injuries. This is the truth as witnessed directly by the community.”
Kwakano called for an independent, transparent investigation, warning that failure to hold anyone accountable would be “an insult to the memories of the dead.”
He added that the community would not accept “another buried inquiry which produces no justice.”
Within hours, the Chobo Youth Forum countered the narrative, rejecting claims that its tribal militia triggered the clash.
In a statement signed by Secretary-General Engr. Gideon Sam, the group alleged that Chobo villages were actually attacked and burnt by a Bachama militia, describing attempts to blame Chobo youths as; the group insisted they were defending their communities, not provoking a confrontation with anyone, let alone the military.
As accusations fly between the two ethnic groups, one question echoes across Adamawa and beyond – How did unarmed women become the primary casualties of a military operation?
Residents say the Army has offered no clear explanation, and the silence is fueling outrage.
Security analysts warn that unless the Nigerian Army addresses the incident openly, the tragedy could inflame longstanding inter-ethnic tensions in the region.
At the burial, one elder summed up the public mood: “Today we bury our women. Tomorrow we demand the truth.”
With the mass burial concluded, national pressure is mounting on the Nigerian Army to…
•Release a detailed account of the events that led to the shootings
•Identify the soldiers involved
•Ensure transparency in any investigation
•Prevent retaliatory violence between Bachama and Chobo communities
For now, the graves in Lamurde stand as a stark symbol of a tragedy that has shaken Adamawa and reignited nationwide concerns about military conduct, community clashes, and the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.
