The Nigerian Army's 23 Brigade has rejected claims that soldiers escorting Brigade Commander Amechi Agwu shot dead 12 women protesting in Lamurde, Yola, Adamawa State on December 8, 2025, attributing the deaths instead to armed Chobo-speaking militias amid a communal clash. Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, described reports led by Sahara Reporters alleging seven instant fatalities and five injuries at Numan Hospital as "baseless" and reputation-smearing, noting the commander was in a virtual Chief of Army Staff briefing during the incident.
Troops responded to a distress call about an attack on the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat, encountering women blocking access while nearby militias fired indiscriminately with poor weapon handling causing the casualties. The brigade expressed sympathy, urging peace between factions, and clarified no protesters were harmed by soldiers who secured the site professionally.
This denial follows weekend violence in Lamurde LGA, where delayed security response fueled protests, highlighting fragile communal ties in Adamawa and risks of misinformation inflaming tensions.