Adamawa Communal Violence Claims Lives, Gov Fintiri Imposes Curfew

By Ayodele Oni

Following an outbreak of communal violence in Adamawa State, which has led to loss of life, Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared a 24-hour curfew in Lamurde Local Government Area.

It was gathered that heavily armed Chobo-speaking tribal militia from neighbouring Gombe State, joined their counterparts in Adamawa state and launched coordinated assaults on Bachama communities in Lamurde Local Government Area, leaving dozens feared dead.

Report stated that the attackers advanced from the creeks bordering Gombe and overran several settlements from the western axis, sacking Tingno, Waduku and two other villages.

“They have burnt Waduku and Tingno to ashes,” one source said. “Our youths mobilised quickly to stop them from pushing into Rigange.”

Another resident confirmed that although the assailants attempted to move towards Lamurde, the local council headquarters, they were repelled

The fresh violence erupted barely days after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri brokered a fragile peace deal between the warring Chobo and Bachama groups, according to Dr. Jamila Suleiman, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Adamawa State Peace Commission.

Meanwhile, the state government has imposed 24-hour curfew in the affected local government.

In a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Hammangabdo, on Monday, stated that the governor instructed security agencies to swiftly deploy to affected areas to restore peace and maintain order.

According to the statement, Fintiri directed security agencies to move to the areas threatened by the renewed communal clash to promptly restore peace and order.

The statement reads: “The Adamawa State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect following a renewed communal clash that broke out on Sunday evening.”

The government urged residents of Lamurde to remain calm and cooperate fully with security operatives as efforts are underway to prevent further escalation.