The Pene Da Bwatiye Development Association (PDBDA) Worldwide stands in profound grief and outrage. Once again, we are forced to raise our voices not in dialogue, but in anguish and furious protest. The blood of our innocent people-our mothers, daughters,sisters-has been spilt, and we will not be silenced.
On the morning of July 24th, a grotesque and unforgivable atrocity was committed, reminiscent of the pogrom committed by the Nigerian Air Force during the 201attacks, when several villages, including Dong and the villages in the general area, were destroyed using a jet fighter aircraft. This time, twelve unarmed women, who had gathered in peaceful protest against the late arrival of the Military, carrying only leaves and singing songs of peace, were slaughtered by the members of the Nigerian army deployed to assure 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 violence plaguing our communities in Rigangun and Waduku.
This was not an act of war; it was a massacre.
It follows a painful pattern of violence that erupted on July 7th and reignited on July 17th, 2025. Despite our community’s unwavering commitment to peace-building efforts, our people have been met with escalating brutality.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions of the Nigerian Army personnel involved. 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 duty that demands immediate and severe consequences.
This one is too many. Our community’s patience has been murdered alongside our women.
THEREFORE, THE PENE DA BWATIYE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION WORLDWIDE ISSUES THE FOLLOWING NON-NEGOTIABLE DEMANDS:
1. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION AND PROSECUTION: We demand the immediate identification, suspension, and public prosecution of every soldier involved in this heinous 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 respected civil society leaders, human rights experts, and judicial officials, to investigate this specific massacre and the broader security failures in this conflict. Its findings and recommendations must be made public.
3. IMMEDIATE REPARATIONS AND APOLOGY:
We demand formal apologies and immediate comprehensive reparations from the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to the families of the twelve murdered women and all other victims, including the injured who are cured and hospitalised in this needless violence.
4. IMMEDIATE SECURITY REDEPLOYMENT:We demand the immediate redeployment of the current army units in the area and their replacement wth vetted, disciplined forces under a clear and public mandate to protect civilians and property, not terrorise them.
We call upon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of Adamawa State, 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