KEY POINTS
• A suspected militia leader threatened night-time attacks on Bachama communities in Adamawa State.
• The threat comes amid lingering tensions between the Bachama and Chobo communities in Lamurde LGA.
• The suspect also accused Deputy Governor Kaletapwa Farauta of supporting attacks, though no evidence was provided for the claim.
Fresh fears have emerged in Adamawa State after a suspected militia leader allegedly threatened to launch coordinated attacks on Bachama speaking communities in Lamurde Local Government Area, raising concerns over a possible escalation of the long-running communal crisis in the area.
The threat was contained in a video circulating on social media, in which the man, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Chobo ethnic group, vowed that his fighters would carry out night-time operations against Bachama communities.
In the video, the suspected militia leader said his group had adopted what he described as a “night mode operation” strategy and warned that attacks would be carried out under the cover of darkness.
He claimed that fighters would move from one village to another targeting Bachama settlements, warning that widespread killings and bloodshed would occur across the affected communities.
The threat has heightened fears among residents already grappling with insecurity and recurring communal violence.
Suspect Mixes Ethnic Claims With Religious Rhetoric
The man, who identified himself as a pastor, combined ethnic grievances with religious references in his remarks.
He compared the Chobo ethnic group to Israel, saying that despite being smaller in number, they would prevail over their opponents, just as he claimed Israel had consistently emerged victorious in conflicts.
The statements have raised concerns about the use of religious and ethnic sentiments to inflame tensions in the region.
The latest development comes amid persistent tensions between the Bachama and Chobo communities in Lamurde Local Government Area.
The conflict, largely linked to land and communal disputes, has led to loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of property over the past year.
Although authorities have brokered several peace agreements, clashes and reprisals have continued to resurface.
In the viral video, the suspected militia leader also accused Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, of backing Bachama fighters and contributing to the violence in the area.
He alleged that the deputy governor was politically supporting attacks against the Chobo people.
However, no evidence was presented to support the allegations, and the claims have not been independently verified.
The threat is expected to deepen fears among residents of Lamurde, where both Bachama and Chobo communities coexist.
The area has witnessed months of deadly clashes and retaliatory attacks, leaving many residents displaced and communities devastated.
Observers fear that the latest threats could trigger another cycle of violence if urgent measures are not taken to prevent further bloodshed.