Karim Lamido Crisis: Witnesses Accuse Attackers of Ethnic Cleansing, Fault Security Agencies for Inaction

By Jako.

Gripping testimonies continued to unfold at the ongoing Peace and Justice Commission of Inquiry into the Karim Lamido crisis, with survivors and eyewitnesses alleging premeditated attacks and ethnic targeting in the May 23rd, 2025 massacre at Munga Lelau community.

One of the witnesses, Shagari Jauro, told the Commission that he received a call from one of the suspected attackers before the assault on Munga Lelau. According to him, he immediately alerted traditional leaders and association heads, but the warning went unheeded.

During the attack, Jauro said he hid for safety while several of his family members were killed. He added that after the killings, the assailants, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, set homes ablaze, leaving the community in ruins.

Another testifier, Shaama Ezra, painted a grim picture of the scale of destruction. He told the Commission that 42 people were killed, six houses burnt, and livestock valued at over ₦200 million were rustled. Ezra described the incident as “ethnic cleansing with a religious undertone,” attributing the violence to Fulani militants targeting the indigenous population.

Comfort Sidi, a survivor, emotionally recounted how the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, killed her father and brothers. According to her, the assailants spared the women, claiming their mission was to kill only men.

Also speaking, Namai Joel said the attack on Munga Lelau took place around 2:25 p.m. on May 23. He testified that his uncle and several other villagers were murdered by Fulani men who stormed the area on motorcycles.

During cross-examination, Joel revealed that while retrieving bodies with security escort the following day, they discovered three mobile phones and SIM cards at the crime scene—evidence he believes could aid further investigation. He also criticized the inaction of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Karim Lamido, stating that he had raised an alarm about a potential attack, but no preventive steps were taken, ultimately leading to the massacre.

Reacting to the testimonies, Justice Silas Haruna, Chairman of the Peace and Justice Commission, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to uncovering the root causes of the crisis. He assured that credible recommendations would be submitted to the state government to support lasting peace and justice in the region.

The Commission continues to gather evidence as more witnesses are expected in the days ahead.