Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has imposed a stringent 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area, effective immediately, in response to recent violent attacks and breaches of peace in affected communities. The measure aims to curb ongoing disturbances that have disrupted normalcy in the region. Security agencies have been directed to enforce the curfew rigorously, with warnings issued against any violations.
The curfew follows a deadly communal clash over farmlands involving the Tsobo people of Bashaka, Sabonlaye, Gundili, Wami, Suwa, Bachama of Rugange, and the Wadaku ethnic groups, which claimed more than 10 lives, left scores injured, and razed over 200 houses. Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, announced the directive, stating, “The Government views these disturbances as unacceptable and has directed security agencies to enforce the curfew strictly.” He emphasized that the curfew would remain in place until further notice, urging residents to shun rumor-mongering and cooperate with authorities to restore normalcy.
Governor Fintiri has also appealed to residents of Lamurde to provide useful information to security agencies, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property. “Government is committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring the safety of all citizens,” Wonosikou added in the official statement. Security forces have been deployed across the area, approximately 117 kilometers from the state capital, where empty farmlands and displaced families signal the conflict’s severity.
Local voices highlight the sudden breakdown of long-standing harmony between the Bachama (Bwatiye) and Tsobo (Chobo) communities, with one resident lamenting, “They bring ammunition, trying killing our brothers. I lost one of my brother.” Another community member stressed the need for deeper investigation: “There’s something deeper which the government must find out because we’ve lived together for hundreds of years… it is well planned, well coordinated.” Victims, including those from Rigange and Waduku communities, have called for compensation for injuries and property losses.
In a related development, the governor later relaxed the curfew to run from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily following a positive security assessment and the inauguration of the Adamawa State Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Social Integration Commission. This body fulfills a 2019 campaign pledge to address farmer-herder conflicts in the Numan Federation, building on prior recommendations from a technical committee. Wonosikou noted, “To ensure the continued safety of residents, Governor Fintiri has directed security agencies to maintain 24-hour surveillance in the area. This measure is part of the government’s efforts to mitigate further occurrences of crisis and restore lasting peace.”
Edmond Mosoti, president of the Bwatiye youth association, advised compensation for affected persons, while resident Lofty Timothy urged, “We need an independent and impartial organisation to investigate the issues and propose concrete and lasting solutions.” The governor reiterated calls for peace, harmony, and cooperation to foster development in the region.
