The Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade has denied reports alleging that troops opened fire on women protesting a communal clash in Lamurde, claiming that no women were injured or killed by soldiers. The Army stated that its Commander and escorts were not present at the scene when the violence erupted on December 8, 2025.
In a statement, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, a spokesperson for the Brigade, dismissed the claims as false and misleading. According to the Army, the disturbances were due to violent clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities, rooted in long-standing land disputes and ethnic tensions in the area.
During the conflict, armed militia members reportedly attacked security forces, resulting in the neutralization of several gunmen. The Army maintained that while they responded to a distress report about the clashes, civilian casualties stemmed from indiscriminate gunfire from local militia rather than from their troops.
The Army expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased women and urged the communities involved to pursue peace to prevent further loss of life. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security and called on the public to disregard what they termed a malicious report.
