A DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE
The Pene Da Bwatiye Development Association (PDBDA) Worldwide stands in profoundgrief and outrage. Once again, we are forced to raise our voices not in dialogue, but inanguish and furious protest. The blood of our innocent people-our mothers,daughters,sisters-has been spilled,and we will not be silenced.
On the morning of July 24th, a grotesque and unforgivable atrocity was committedreminiscent to the pogrom committed by the Nigeran Airforce during the 2017 attackswhen several villages including Dong and the villages in the general area where destroyedusing a jet fighter aircraft. This time twelve unarmed women, who had gathered inpeaceful protest against the late arrival of the Military,carrying only leaves and singingsongs of peace,were slaughtered by the members of the Nigerian army deployed toassure the presence of the state and maintain peace.They were not in any conflict zone.They posed no threat. Their only weapon was their plea for an end to the violenceplaguing our communities in Rigangun and Waduku.
This was not an act of war; it was a massacre.
It follows a painful pattern of violence thaterupted on July 7th and reignited on July 17th, 2025.Despite our community’sunwavering commitment to peace-building efforts, our peopie have been met withescalating brutality.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions of the Nigerian Army personnelinvolved. To attack peaceful, grieving women is an act of profound cowardice and a gross,indefensible violation of every rule of engagement and every standard of human decency.This is not merely “unprofessional” or “disturbing”-it is a criminal dereliction of dutythat demands immediate and severe consequence.
This one too many. Our community’s patience has been murdered alongside our women.
THEREFORE, THE PENE DA BWATIYE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION WORLDWISEISSUES THE FOLLOWING NON-NEGOTIABLE DEMANDS:
1. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION AND PROSECUTION: We demand the immediateidentification, suspension, and public prosecution of every soldier involved in thisheinous act. They must face the full weight of civilian law for murder.
2.INDEPENDENT,PUBLIC INVESTIGATION:
We demand a transparent, Independent judicial panel of inquiry-comprising respectedcivil society leaders, human rights experts, and judicial officials-to investigate thisspecific massacre and the broader security failures in this conflict. Its findings andrecommendations must bemade public.
3.IMMEDIATE REPARATIONS AND APOLOGY:
We demand formal apologies and immediate comprehensive reparations from theNigerian Army and the Federal Government to th families of the twelve murderedwomen and all other victims including the injured who are cured hospitalised in thisneedless violence.
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4.IMMEDIATE SECURITY REDEPLOYMENT:We demand the immediate redeployment ofthe current army units in the area and their replacement wth vetted,disciplined forcesunderk clear and public mandate toprotect civilians and property, not terrorize them.
We call upon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of AdamawaState,and the Chief of Defence Staff to act within the next 72 hours to initiate these steps.The world is watching. Our grief is Immense, but our resolve for justice is absolute.
We mourn.We demand.We will not rest.
Mr. Emmannuel Pwakavi Bapatu
General Secretary
