Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has ordered the setting up of a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of protesters in Lamurde Local Government Area, where at least 10 women and an 11-year-old girl were reportedly shot dead earlier this month.
The governor announced the decision on Tuesday during a visit to Lamurde and nearby communities in the Suwa District, describing the incident of 8 December as “tragic, unacceptable and deeply disturbing.”
Mr Fintiri said the panel, to be chaired by a retired High Court judge, would conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings.
According to him, the inquiry will establish both the immediate and underlying causes of the violence and make recommendations aimed at justice, reconciliation and lasting peace.
“The victims were innocent and defenceless women. This should never have happened,” the governor said, urging residents to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.
He assured the affected communities of his administration’s commitment to accountability and peace-building, adding that the Adamawa State Peace Commission had begun engagements with youths, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to de-escalate tensions.
Mr Fintiri also promised support for the families of the victims, including assistance with education and livelihoods, while pledging to strengthen security in the area.
During the visit, the governor inspected affected communities and said relief materials were being distributed to displaced residents through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Reaffirming that peace was “non-negotiable,” he said the state government would continue working with community and religious leaders to rebuild trust and promote dialogue.
Traditional rulers in the area welcomed the governor’s intervention but called for decisive action. The district head of Lamurde, Pwahomakai Joseph, speaking alongside Napwamwa Istifanus, said the crisis had deep-rooted causes and urged the government to address longstanding grievances between the Bachama and Tsobo communities.
Meanwhile, the Tsobo Community Development Association has appealed to the federal government and the international community, alleging that its members are facing sustained attacks.
At a press conference in Yola, the association’s chairman, Nathaniel Solomon, linked the violence to a long-running land dispute between the Tsobo and their Bachama neighbours. He claimed that hundreds of Tsobo people had been killed over the years, with many others injured or displaced, particularly since clashes resurfaced in July.
Mr Solomon also accused the Nigerian Army of killing unarmed Tsobo women during a peaceful protest—an allegation the military has denied, insisting the deaths were caused by local militias.
While acknowledging the governor’s efforts to stabilise the area, the community leader said the Tsobo were demanding full accountability, including justice and formal apologies for the victims.
As preparations begin for the judicial inquiry, residents of Lamurde say they are hopeful that the probe and renewed dialogue will help end the violence and restore confidence in the rule of law.
