Nigerian Troops Clash with Protesters in Northeast, Resulting in 9 Fatalities, According to Witness Accounts

In a tragic event in Adamawa state, northeastern Nigeria, soldiers of the Nigerian Army opened fire on women protesting the military’s handling of communal conflicts, resulting in nine deaths and ten injuries. The incident occurred on a major road in Lamurde on Monday, when the protesters blocked the soldiers’ passage in response to the army’s failure to implement a curfew aimed at reducing ethnic clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities.

Witnesses and family members asserted that it was the soldiers who initiated the gunfire, contradicting the Nigerian Army’s claim that a local militia was responsible for the violence. Amnesty International’s Nigeria office corroborated eyewitness accounts, emphasizing the military’s involvement. Isa Sanusi, the director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, condemned the military’s actions, noting a troubling pattern of human rights violations and a lack of accountability.

This incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s military and police forces, which have been criticized for their handling of human rights issues, referencing past occurrences such as the 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shooting during anti-police brutality protests in Lagos. Amnesty International has called for a thorough investigation into the incident and demands accountability for those responsible for the killings. The ongoing unrest underscores the need for a reassessment of military practices in Nigeria, particularly in maintaining order and protecting citizens’ rights in the face of communal violence.