Nine women killed in Monday’s alleged shooting by Nigerian Army personnel have been buried in a solemn mass burial that drew an overwhelming crowd of mourners, community leaders, and rights advocates to the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday.
The ceremony, marked by grief, tension, and public outrage, doubled as both a final farewell and a strong community indictment of the circumstances leading to the women’s deaths.
Victims’ Identities Released
During the burial rites, community leaders revealed the names of the deceased, describing them as innocent women whose lives were cut short in a tragedy that has amplified calls for accountability.
The victims are:
- Florence Frank
- Suzy Tanko
- Marry Talmon
- Mercy Kennedy
- Lucky Yakubu
- Pwamwasari Tami
- Mary Shikauno
- Destiny Gibson
- Hunbokwama Nickson
Their bodies, wrapped in white cloth and traditional grass mats, were laid side-by-side—a harrowing visual that underscored the weight of the community’s loss.
Bachama Youth Wing Accuses Nigerian Army of Opening Fire on Women
The Bwate Youth Wing, representing several Bachama-speaking communities, issued a direct accusation against the Nigerian Army during the burial event.
Secretary-General Abner Kwakano asserted:
“We maintain without hesitation that the army opened fire on innocent women, resulting in deaths and injuries. This is the truth as witnessed directly by the community.”
Kwakano called for an independent and transparent investigation, insisting that anything less would dishonor the victims and deepen mistrust between the military and residents.
Chobo Youth Forum Counters Allegations, Claims Their Communities Were the Actual Victims
In a counter-narrative, the Chobo Youth Forum rejected claims that its tribal militia initiated the confrontation that eventually led to the deadly incident.
Its Secretary-General, Engr. Gideon Sam, stated that Chobo settlements were attacked and razed by a Bachama militia, describing earlier reports implicating Chobo youths as:
“False, misleading and dangerous.”
The group urged authorities to avoid narratives that inflame ethnic tensions and instead establish the actual chain of events.
Unanswered Questions as Tensions Rise
With both communities trading blame and the Nigerian Army yet to issue a comprehensive statement, tension continues to rise across the affected areas.
Local leaders and human rights advocates have joined the call for a full-scale inquiry to determine:
- What triggered the confrontation?
- Whether the military followed engagement protocols.
- How unarmed women became casualties in a conflict reportedly involving armed groups.
As the nation watches closely, residents of Lamurde and surrounding communities say justice for the nine women is the only path toward restoring peace and trust.
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