Nigeria Mourns as Nine Women Shot Dead During Protest Over Rising Insecurity
Nigerian Army soldiers opened fire and killed nine women protesting the army's handling of communal clashes in the northeastern Adamawa state, witnesses and Amnesty International told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Nigeria is in shock after nine women were shot dead during a protest in Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State. The demonstrators had gathered to call for increased security and protection amid recurring violence and rising insecurity in the region.
Eyewitnesses reported that the march, which began peacefully, escalated when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse the crowd. The women were unarmed, carrying placards and voicing concerns over attacks by local armed groups. The shooting left several others injured and sent residents fleeing in panic.
Civil society organizations and human rights groups have condemned the killings, calling the incident a “tragic and avoidable loss of life.” Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to launch an immediate, independent investigation to ensure accountability.
The Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade, based in Yola, has denied responsibility, claiming the fatalities resulted from gunfire by local militia groups. Military officials stated that troops were deployed to maintain peace amid tensions between communities and that they did not target the protesters.
Local residents, however, insist that the women were peaceful and that the killings reflect a pattern of heavy-handed responses to civilian protests. Community leaders are demanding justice for the victims and immediate action to address the underlying causes of insecurity, including communal clashes and poor protection measures.
As families mourn their loved ones and the nation reacts with outrage, questions remain over who is accountable for the deaths and whether such protests can be conducted safely in Nigeria. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for reforms in security protocols and civilian protection, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
For now, the deaths of the nine protesters stand as a painful reminder of the high-cost Nigerians continue to pay for safety, and the urgent need for authorities to protect rather than silence the voices of the vulnerable.
