Atiku Abubakar Demands Urgent Action and Independent Probe Into Lamurde Killings in Adamawa

 

Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal and Adamawa State Governments to act swiftly and ensure an independent investigation into the Lamurde violence.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over what he describes as deeply disturbing reports emerging from Lamurde in Adamawa State, where violent clashes between the Bachama and Tsobo communities have spiraled into a deadly conflict. 

In an emotionally charged statement posted on X, Atiku condemned the wave of bloodshed, destruction, and fear gripping the area, calling the situation “harrowing” and “unacceptable.” He urged both the Federal Government and the Adamawa State Government to act urgently and decisively to prevent further loss of life and restore calm.

The clashes, which have left several casualties and widespread devastation in their wake, have heightened tensions across the affected communities. Atiku described the crisis as one that must not be allowed to continue “for one more hour,” stressing that government authorities bear a solemn duty to halt the violence and protect the innocent. He warned that delays or half-measures would only embolden perpetrators and deepen the suffering of residents caught in the crossfire.

What appears to have intensified public outrage are allegations that soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 23rd Brigade in Yola shot and killed women who were reportedly protesting within the vicinity of the conflict. Atiku said that such claims, if confirmed, amount to an atrocity and “an assault on our collective conscience.” Although the Army has issued a denial, insisting that its personnel were not involved, conflicting testimonies from locals have led to widespread confusion and distrust, sparking calls for accountability.

Atiku did not downplay the severity of the allegations. Instead, he insisted that only a thorough, transparent, and genuinely independent investigation can clarify what happened. He said Nigerians deserve nothing less than the full truth, and that any attempt to dismiss or downplay the accounts given by community members would amount to a grave injustice. He emphasized that the lives lost—particularly the reported deaths of unarmed women—must not be treated as mere statistics or brushed aside in the rush to restore order. According to him, accountability must be pursued regardless of whose actions are implicated.

He further noted that if it is proven that protesters were indeed killed by security forces, it would represent a serious breach of both national and international standards governing the use of force. At a time when global attention is increasingly focused on ending gender-based violence and protecting vulnerable groups, he warned that Nigeria must not allow itself to be counted among nations where the rights and dignity of citizens—especially women—are violated with impunity.

The former vice president extended his condolences to families grieving the loss of loved ones, acknowledging the profound emotional and psychological toll the crisis has inflicted on the people of Lamurde. He prayed for comfort for those who have been “scarred by this senseless violence” and called on Nigerians everywhere to keep the victims in their thoughts during what he described as a “dark hour” for the affected communities.

Atiku’s message also included a strong declaration of solidarity with the Hama Bachama, His Royal Majesty Dr. Daniel Isma’ila Shaga, and the entire Bachama Kingdom, affirming that their pain is shared by many across the country. He expressed empathy for all individuals and families who have been displaced, traumatized, or directly harmed as a result of the conflict. He said that unity, healing, and justice must take precedence over bitterness or retaliation.

Turning to the root of the conflict, Atiku appealed to members of both the Bachama and Tsobo communities to remember the long-standing bonds that tie them together—bonds of shared history, culture, and heritage. He urged them to “pull back from the brink” and reflect on the dangers of allowing disputes to escalate into full-blown communal violence. According to him, violence only multiplies suffering and deepens divisions, whereas dialogue and mutual respect offer the only path toward lasting peace.

He also encouraged traditional leaders, elders, community organisations, and religious institutions to play an active role in calming tensions and facilitating constructive discussions aimed at resolving grievances. He argued that peace efforts require more than security deployments or government directives; they require the cooperation and goodwill of the communities themselves.

Atiku’s statement underscored the importance of transparency, justice, and accountability as indispensable components of conflict resolution. He stressed that trust cannot be restored if allegations of abuse or misconduct are ignored. The Federal and State Governments, he argued, must demonstrate leadership by ensuring that investigations are impartial, timely, and credible. Only then will the public regain confidence in the institutions responsible for their safety.

In closing, he urged all parties involved—government agencies, security forces, traditional authorities, and local communities—to recommit to peace. He said that while conflict can be triggered by misunderstandings or unaddressed grievances, its resolution lies in dialogue, empathy, and the willingness to see one another not as adversaries but as brothers and sisters with a shared future. For Atiku, the events in Lamurde serve as a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen mechanisms for conflict prevention, community engagement, and human rights protection across the country.

Through his statement, Atiku called on Nigeria to rise above division and violence, insisting that no nation can tolerate the killing of its citizens—least of all unarmed women—without confronting the truth and pursuing justice.