By By Elizabeth Ugbo
No fewer than 20 people were killed on Saturday morning when suspected ethnic militias attacked Gyakan and Kwah communities in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The coordinated assault occurred between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., as hundreds of armed men stormed the villages on motorcycles, shooting residents and burning homes, while security forces arrived over 30 hours later.
Coordinated attacks leave trail of destruction
Residents said the attackers first invaded Gyakan before advancing to Kwah, about 20 kilometres away. They looted properties and set houses ablaze in both communities.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants operated in large numbers and struck with precision. They overwhelmed defenceless residents and forced many to flee.
Carlos Nicodemus, a former Supervisory Councillor in Lamurde LGA, described the attack as brutal and well-coordinated.
“The attackers came in large numbers, shooting and burning houses. In Gyakan alone, we recovered 10 bodies, while one person was killed in Kwah,” he said.
He added that over 400 houses were destroyed during the হামlet.
Death toll rises as more bodies are recovered
Although initial reports confirmed 11 deaths, the figure later rose to 20 after more bodies were found. Residents continued recovery efforts after security forces regained control of the area.
Onisimus Onisimond, a local resident, confirmed that four additional bodies were discovered by Sunday afternoon. He warned that the death toll could still increase.
Nicodemus also explained that fear delayed recovery efforts. Families could not retrieve victims immediately due to ongoing insecurity.
Delayed security response sparks concern
Community leaders criticised the late arrival of security agencies. They said intervention came long after the attackers had caused extensive damage.
Nicodemus noted that troops arrived more than 30 hours after the нападение. He stressed that the delay worsened casualties and destruction.
Similarly, former Village Head of Gyakan, Wali Batakuma, described the нападение as shocking and unusually violent.
“We were taken completely by surprise,” he said. “They attacked in a coordinated manner, shooting and burning homes.”
Long-standing conflict fuels repeated violence
The crisis in Lamurde LGA links to land disputes that have lasted nearly three decades. Over 3,000 lives have reportedly been lost during this period.
The Adamawa State Government has already set up a commission of inquiry to address the conflict. However, violence continues across affected communities.
Lamurde remains one of the most volatile areas in the state. It has recorded more than ten clashes in the past six months.
Authorities also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in December last year. The restriction remains in force due to persistent attacks.
Residents displaced as fear spreads
The latest violence has displaced many residents from Gyakan and Kwah. Survivors fled their homes as attackers burned buildings and looted valuables.
Meanwhile, attempts to get reactions from the opposing side of the conflict failed, leaving questions about the root causes of the latest attack unanswered.
