December 20, 2025 l By Dalena Reporters
Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Republic of Nigeria has been dragged before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice over the alleged extra-judicial killing of women protesters by soldiers in Adamawa State, in a high-profile human rights suit filed on behalf of the victims and their families.
The legal action was instituted by Cadrell Advocacy Centre, a non-governmental organisation that provides legal support for victims of violence, marking a significant escalation in calls for accountability over the deadly incident.
The case centres on events that unfolded on December 8, 2025, at Lamurde Local Government Area in Adamawa State, where a group of women staged a peaceful demonstration along a major road. The protest was intended to draw attention to concerns over enforcement of a government-imposed curfew amid heightened clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities in the area.
According to the suit, soldiers from the Nigerian Army stationed in the area encountered the protesters while on duty. The filing alleges that after initially firing warning shots into the air, other military personnel opened live fire on the women, resulting in catastrophic loss of life and multiple injuries.
The legal documents submitted to the ECOWAS court claim that at least nine women were killed instantly during the shooting, and several others sustained gunshot wounds.
The application to the regional court further asserts that authorities have failed to arrest, prosecute, or discipline any soldier in connection with the incident. It also states that none of the families of the deceased have received compensation, and that there has been no transparent domestic inquiry into the matter.
Although Amnesty International Nigeria independently confirmed and condemned the killings attributing them to military personnel based on eyewitness accounts and victim family testimonies the Nigerian Army has denied responsibility, instead attributing the deaths to a local militia.
In the suit, Cadrell Advocacy Centre is asking the ECOWAS Community Court to declare that the killings constitute violations of several provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights including rights to life and security of person as well as other related rights obligations.
The application seeks multiple orders, including:
- A declaration that Nigeria is liable for violations of human rights committed by agents of the state.
- An independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the Lamurde incident.
- The prosecution of those responsible for unlawful killings and injuries.
- Adequate compensation for victims and families of the deceased.
- General damages of ₦10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) against Nigeria for violations of the rights to life and dignity of the deceased.
Legal counsel to the applicants, Evans Ufedi and Emmanuel Olalekan, formally filed the suit for service on the Nigerian Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The suit underscores ongoing concerns raised by civil society over security force conduct and accountability in Nigeria. Critics have long argued that military and police responses to protests can devolve into violations of human rights standards, drawing attention to similar international cases where Nigeria has faced scrutiny. For example, the ECOWAS Court previously found the Nigerian government in violation of rights protections during the #EndSARS protests, underscoring the regional court’s role in adjudicating such disputes.
As the matter moves before the ECOWAS Community Court, human rights observers and legal advocates will be closely watching for rulings that could set new precedents on how Nigeria addresses alleged abuses by its security forces. The outcome has the potential to influence not only compensation and justice for the victims in Adamawa State, but also broader accountability mechanisms for state actors across the region.