Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area following escalating violence that has claimed several lives and led to the destruction of communities in the area.
The curfew, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, after renewed attacks and breach of peace in parts of the local government.
According to the statement, the state government views the disturbances as unacceptable and has directed security agencies to strictly enforce the curfew.
“The government views these disturbances as unacceptable and has directed security agencies to enforce the curfew strictly. Anyone or group found contravening this directive will be arrested and dealt with according to the law,” the statement said.
The development comes on the heels of Sunday’s attack on the Rugange community in Lamurde, where gunmen reportedly killed one person and set the entire Regange villages including Bagen, Korgosei and Sabon Pegi ablaze, forcing residents to flee their homes.
However, fresh reports emerging from the troubled area indicate that the situation may be more severe than initially reported. Local sources say two soldiers and a mobile police officer were reportedly shot during the violence and are feared dead, though security authorities have yet to issue an official confirmation.
Lamurde Local Government Area has in recent years witnessed intermittent communal tensions, particularly between the Tsobo and Bachama ethnic groups, with occasional clashes leading to loss of lives and property.
Meanwhile, the renewed violence has revived serious questions over an earlier security incident in the area.
Late last year, two trailer loads of young men described by residents as suspicious travellers were reportedly intercepted around the Lamurde–Gombe border corridor. Witnesses claimed the individuals appeared to be mostly strangers to the area and were not believed to be indigenes of Adamawa State.
Residents said the group was initially stopped by security operatives but was later allowed to disperse instead of being arrested or thoroughly investigated, raising concerns of complicity, among community members at the time.
With the current escalation of violence, many residents are now demanding answers and accountability over the decision that led to their release.
Observers argue that given the sensitivity of the security situation, such a decision could only have been taken within the chain of command involving key security authorities, including the state government and relevant security leadership in the area.
Analysts note that the development comes at a time when Nigeria is under intense international scrutiny over allegations of targeted violence against Christian communities in parts of the country, a claim that has remained a subject of national and global debate.
Lamurde Local Government Area, where the latest attacks occurred, is predominantly inhabited by Christian communities, making the renewed violence of particular concern and sensitivity.
Governor Fintiri has appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts are underway to restore peace.
“The Government is committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring the safety of all citizens,” the statement added.
Security operatives have been deployed across Lamurde to enforce the curfew and prevent further breakdown of law and order, while residents continue to call for a thorough investigation into both the current attacks and earlier security lapses that may have contributed to the crisis.
More details are expected as the situation unfolds.
Credit: The Sun