Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade Headquarters has denied allegations that its troops fired on civilians during a communal clash in Lamurde, Adamawa State, on Monday, December 8, 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 23 Brigade, called the reports “baseless and misleading,” noting that neither the Brigade Commander nor his escorts were at the scene, as shared on the Brigade’s X handle.
“The commander was participating virtually in the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational brief at the time of the alleged incident,” the statement read.
The statement explained that a joint security operation involving 23 Brigade troops, police, NSCDC, and DSS was deployed to address clashes between the Bachama and Chobo tribes in Adamawa State, sparked by longstanding land disputes and ethnic tensions.
The forces moved into communities like Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku, and Lamurde to restore order.
“It is necessary to inform the general public that neither the Brigade Commander nor his escorts was at the scene of the communal clash as the Brigade Commander was participating virtually in the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational brief at the time of the purported shooting by his escorts.
“Headquarters 23 Brigade wishes to set the record straight that combined troops of 23 Brigade Garrison, Nigerian Police Force, NSCDC, and DSS received information about the communal clashes between Bachama and Chobo tribes of Lamurde LGA at about 0135 hours (1:30 AM) on Monday, 8 December 2025.
“The communal clash was a result of unresolved land disputes and ethnic acrimony between the Chobo and Bachama tribes. Troops moved swiftly to the affected communities to restore normalcy to Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku, and Lamurde,” the statement added.
During the operation, a militia group believed to be backing one of the warring communities launched an attack on the troops.
“In response, soldiers neutralised three gunmen, and additional members of the militia were later found neutralised along their withdrawal route, along with a motorcycle.
“When a potential attack on the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat was reported, troops moved to secure the area. Some women initially blocked their passage, and armed men allegedly fired indiscriminately. The Brigade clarified that no civilians were shot by Army personnel, and the two women later brought to the Local Government Lodge were reportedly killed due to the unprofessional handling of weapons by the militias,” the statement read.
The Brigade expressed sympathy for the families of the slain women and urged the warring communities to embrace peace to prevent further loss of lives and property.
It reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional duties in aid of civil authorities and called on the public to disregard the “malicious report.”
