By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed outrage and deep sorrow over the killing of women who were protesting in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The incident, which occurred during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and just days before International Human Rights Day, has been described by the Commission as a “heinous act” and a grave violation of fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued on 9 December 2025, signed by the NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN, OFR) said the Commission “condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of unarmed, peaceful protesters,” noting that the violence stands in stark contradiction to Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and its international human-rights obligations.
According to the Commission, the actions leading to the deaths breached key provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including the rights to life, dignity, personal security, and peaceful assembly. They also violate international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The NHRC noted that the killings undermine the principles it reiterated in its July 31 advisory on protecting freedom of association and assembly, stressing that any attack on these freedoms “strikes at the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The Commission said whether the women were killed by members of the armed forces, as alleged in several accounts, or by non-state actors, the outcome remains a fundamental assault on the right to life.
The NHRC called on authorities to immediately launch an independent and transparent investigation, identify and prosecute all those responsible—including command-level officers—and provide reparations and psychosocial support to the victims and their families. It also urged the government to strengthen protocols on the use of force and ensure that citizens can safely exercise their rights to protest, assemble and express themselves.
Further recommendations include:
- A renewed commitment by federal and state authorities to protect peaceful protesters.
- Scaling up civic education and human-rights awareness, particularly in conflict-prone areas.
- Fast-tracking the National Policy on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Situations.
- Urgent peacebuilding and conflict-resolution efforts by the Adamawa State Government to address ongoing communal tensions.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending the rights of all Nigerians, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children, the Commission said it would deploy its full mandate—monitoring, investigation, and public reporting—to ensure justice and prevent future violations.
“We stand ready to work with authorities, civil society, and affected communities to ensure that this tragedy does not reoccur,” the statement concluded.
