The Bedada Care Foundation and its partners have called for an independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of 11 women during a peaceful protest in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The foundation made the demand at a press briefing on the December 8, 2025 incident, where it alleged that unarmed women protesting the delayed deployment of security personnel were shot during the demonstration.
Speaking to newsmen, the Spokesperson of the group, Elizabeth Jatau noted that the omen were carrying leaves and singing songs of peace, when the incident occurred.
The foundation said eight months after the incident, the families of the deceased were still waiting for justice, while several survivors continue to suffer from injuries sustained during the shooting.
Bedada Care Foundation acknowledged that the Nigerian Army had denied responsibility for the killings by personnel of the 23 Brigade, but said the conflicting accounts made an independent investigation necessary.
It said an independent legal investigation commissioned by the foundation involved interviews with eyewitnesses and survivors, as well as the collection of photographic and video evidence.
The foundation said its investigation found that Lamurde residents remained fearful of renewed communal attacks and concerned about the presence of soldiers deployed to protect them.
It also noted that the Adamawa State Government had provided some assistance, including payment of medical bills for victims treated at hospitals in Yola, distribution of food and non-food items, compensation to some victims and families, and peace-building interventions through the Adamawa State Peace Commission.
However, the organisation said many survivors still require medical follow-up, while some have reportedly lost their sources of livelihood because their injuries have prevented them from farming, trading or working.
While commending the state government for its efforts to restore peace and support affected families, the foundation stressed that welfare interventions alone could not replace accountability.
Bedada Care Foundation therefore demanded the prosecution of those found responsible for the killings, immediate medical care for injured survivors, livelihood support for victims who can no longer work, protection for witnesses and survivors, and the establishment of a credible joint mechanism involving state and federal authorities to conclusively determine what happened on December 8, 2025.
The organisation described justice for the affected women as a test of the ability of Nigerian women to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest without fear.
It pledged to continue documenting the incident and pursuing lawful avenues for accountability on behalf of the victims and survivors.