23 Brigade says the alleged shooting of women protesters is untrue as the Army rejects false report linked to its Commander during the Adamawa clash

Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai and Headquarters 23 Brigade, has firmly denied media allegations that troops attached to the Brigade Commander shot women protesters during a communal clash in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

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Captain Abidoye stated that the Army rejects false report published by an online platform alleging that escorts to the Brigade Commander opened fire on civilians. He described the report as misleading and an attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army.

According to Headquarters 23 Brigade, the Brigade Commander was participating virtually in the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational brief when the alleged shooting took place, and neither he nor his escorts was present at the scene.

The Army confirmed that combined personnel of the 23 Brigade Garrison, the Nigerian Police Force, the NSCDC and the DSS responded to information about renewed clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities in the early hours of Monday. The conflict was triggered by longstanding land disputes and ethnic hostilities.

Troops moved into Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku and Lamurde to restore order. During the operation, a militia group believed to be fighting for the Chobo community reportedly attacked security personnel. Captain Abidoye said the troops, described as professional and combat ready, engaged the gunmen and neutralised three assailants, forcing others to flee.

Security agencies later recovered an additional five bodies of armed men along the militia’s retreat path together with a motorcycle. Troops were subsequently deployed to protect the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat after receiving intelligence of a planned attack.

While en route, a group of women reportedly blocked the road in protest, while armed men suspected to be aligned with the Bachama community fired shots within the area.

Captain Abidoye stressed that no woman was harmed and that soldiers only created a narrow passage to proceed to the Secretariat.

Once secured at the Local Government Lodge, two bodies of women were brought forward by community members who alleged that the victims had been shot by troops.

The Army insisted that the deaths were caused by untrained local militias mishandling automatic weapons, rather than any action by its personnel.

Captain Abidoye expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased women and urged all communities involved to pursue peace to prevent further loss of life or property.

He added that the Brigade remains committed to its constitutional duties and will continue to exercise diligence in restoring stability within its area of responsibility.