Nigeria has been dragged before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the alleged killing of women protesters by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa State.

The lawsuit was filed by Cadrell Advocacy Centre, a non-governmental organisation that provides legal assistance to victims of violence. The organisation is acting on behalf of the deceased women and their families.

The suit stems from a peaceful protest held on December 8, 2025, in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The women had gathered along a major roadway to protest the enforcement of a government-imposed curfew following clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities.

According to the court filing, the protesters were unarmed and posed no threat when soldiers allegedly opened fire. The applicants claim that after the protesters temporarily blocked the road, one soldier fired shots into the air, after which other soldiers began shooting directly at the women.

The suit alleges that at least nine women were killed on the spot, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.

Amnesty International Nigeria has also confirmed and condemned the killings, citing eyewitness accounts and testimonies from the victims’ families, which it said pointed to soldiers of the Nigerian Army as those responsible.

The Nigerian Army has, however, denied involvement, attributing the killings to a local militia group.

Cadrell Advocacy Centre stated in its filing that no soldier has been arrested, prosecuted, or disciplined in connection with the incident, and that no compensation has been paid to the victims’ families.

The organisation is informed that the killings constitute violations of Articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and is asking the ECOWAS Court to hold Nigeria liable for the actions of its military personnel.

Among the reliefs sought are an order compelling Nigeria to conduct an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation, prosecute those responsible, and award adequate compensation to injured victims. The suit also seeks ₦10 billion in general damages for the unlawful killing of the deceased women.

The legal action was filed by counsel Evans Ufedi and Emmanuel Olalekan and is to be served on the Nigerian Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Federal Ministry of Defence.