VeryDarkMan Accuses Nigerian Army of ‘Atrocity’ in Adamawa Clash, Sparking Outrage Over Alleged Killings of Women
VeryDarkMan, has ignited a firestorm of controversy after posting a graphic video on X (formerly Twitter) alleging that the Nigerian Army committed a “21st-century genocide” against women in Lamurde Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State. The footage, shared earlier today, depicts scenes of chaos, including crowds of women in traditional attire fleeing gunfire, injured individuals in what appears to be a medical facility, and graphic images of bloodshed, prompting widespread calls for accountability.
In the post, which has garnered over 19,000 views within hours, VeryDarkMan directly tags Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (@officialasiwajubat), declaring: “MAY GOD FORGIVE YOUR SOULS, THE INHUMANITY OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY TO DENY THAT THIS EVER HAPPENED! @officialasiwajubat THIS ATROCITY HAPPENED UNDER YOUR WATCH.” The video, lasting over eight minutes, shows what VeryDarkMan describes as soldiers opening fire on “harmless” women protesting a communal clash, resulting in the deaths of at least seven to eight mothers. He frames the incident as part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored violence against civilians in the region.
The allegations stem from a violent inter-communal clash on Monday between members of the Bachama and Chibok ethnic groups in Lamurde LGA, a restive area plagued by longstanding land disputes and banditry. Eyewitness accounts circulating on social media claim that women from the affected communities gathered peacefully to demand intervention from local authorities when soldiers, reportedly escorting the 23 Brigade Commander from Yola, arrived at the scene. Protesters allege the troops fired indiscriminately, killing several women and wounding others. Videos shared alongside VeryDarkMan’s post include clips of women wailing over bodies, bloodstained floors in a clinic, and men carrying away casualties amid abandoned belongings.
Adamawa State, located in Nigeria’s volatile Northeast, has long been a hotspot for ethnic tensions exacerbated by farmer-herder conflicts and the lingering effects of Boko Haram insurgency. Lamurde LGA, in particular, has seen recurring violence, with recent reports highlighting militia involvement in escalating disputes over resources. Community leaders from the Bachama kingdom have demanded justice, describing the killings as a “massacre” and urging federal intervention. One local activist, speaking anonymously to reporters, said: “These women were mothers seeking peace; they were not armed. The army’s presence was meant to protect, not to terrorize.”
The Nigerian Army swiftly denied the accusations in a statement released Tuesday via its official X handle. Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, labeled the claims “baseless and misleading.” The army asserted that neither the Brigade Commander nor his escorts were present during the clash and that the two confirmed female fatalities resulted from “militia members mishandling their weapons” in the heat of the confrontation. “Our troops were not involved in any shooting of civilians,” the statement read, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing and that the military remains committed to restoring calm in the area. Photos attached to the army’s response showed a burnt building from the clash but no direct evidence of troop involvement.
VeryDarkMan’s intervention has amplified the story, drawing parallels to past controversies like the 2020 Lekki Toll Gate incident, where the army was accused of firing on #EndSARS protesters. With over 400,000 followers on X under the handle @vdmempire, the activist—known for his unfiltered critiques of corruption and human rights abuses—has positioned himself as a voice for the marginalized. Replies to his post range from prayers for the victims (“God bless VDM, I love the good works you do”) to demands for international scrutiny (“This Nigerian government are funding this boys. We need to change government before fighting terrorism”). Some users, however, question the video’s authenticity, urging independent verification.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have yet to issue a formal statement, but local monitors report heightened tensions in Lamurde, with schools closed and markets shuttered. Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s office has not commented publicly, though sources indicate emergency meetings are underway. The incident underscores Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, where communal clashes often intersect with military operations, leading to civilian casualties and eroded trust in institutions.
As the video continues to circulate across platforms like TikTok and Facebook, where it has been viewed millions of times under captions like “21st century genocide by some members of the Nigerian army,” pressure mounts on federal authorities for a transparent probe. VeryDarkMan concluded his post with a stark warning: “WARNING! THIS VIDEO IS HIGHLY SENSITIVE AS IT CONTAINS VERY DISTURBING IMAGES.” For now, the women of Lamurde wait for answers amid the echoes of gunfire.
