An Islamic group under the aegis of ‘United Plateau Muslims’ (UPM), has disagreed with Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s regular claims of Christian genocide in the state, accusing the man of God of trying to whip up sentiments against Muslims.
The group, which was reacting to an interview session the fire-spitting cleric had with News Central TV on Tuesday, where he insisted that there was clear evidence of killings in the state, said there have also been instances of Christians killing Muslims in some communities in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday
jointly signed by the Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Jafaar Abbas, and Secretary General, Salisu Adamu, the UPM stated that Rev. Dachomo was playing out a script meant to demonize Muslims in the state to get grants from international donors and make the Christians hate Muslims.
“We have watched with keen interest but with restrained consternation the daily demonization of Muslims, Hausas, and Fulanis by Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the Barkin Ladi Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), and we wonder if he is the only pastor in Plateau State.
“Every other day, he comes up with different allegations of Muslims and Fulanis killing Christians in the state just to whip up unnecessary sentiments and hatred for Muslims and the Fulani people. Why he does this, we cannot tell,” the group claimed.
It stated that as much as Rev. Dachomo attributes every attack and violence in Plateau to the handiwork of Muslims and Fulani militias, there are also Christian militias, especially from the Berom ethnic group, who also attack and kill Muslims.
“In an interview with News Central TV on Tuesday, Rev. Dachomo challenged Muslims to show evidence that our people have also been killed. He even said he has documented the killings of Christians and their graves, which he threatened to show to the ICC.
“We also want to let him know that we have also documented a series of killings of Muslims carried out by Christian militias across the state, and will also present the evidence whenever he does so.
“In September 2001, during the Jos riots in Dilimi, over 290 Muslims were killed by Christian militias during weeks of inter-communal violence while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
“In 2004, between February and May, hundreds of Muslims were massacred in Yelwa, Shendam LGA by Christian youths. In that incident alone, over 700 Muslims, including women and children, were killed.
“In November 2008, following a disputed election in Jos North, Christian militias attacked some Muslim settlements and killed over 700 people, while in January and March 2010, 174 Muslims were also killed in Kuru Karama by armed mobs of Christian Berom youths.
“In August 2021, a convoy of 90 Muslim travelers returning from an Islamic religious event was attacked by Irigwe youths along Rukuba Road, Jos North. At least 22 people were killed, and many others were injured or missing. Early this year, 27 Muslims traveling to Quan Pa’an for a wedding were ambushed in Mangu and killed by Christian youths.
“There have also been incidents where Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavul, and Tarok youths, who are mostly Christians, would attack Muslim and Fulani-dominated communities,” it said.
The UPM wondered why Rev. Dachomo had failed to mention these attacks and the killing of Muslims.
“He is only concerned about the killing of Christians in attacks that are mostly reprisal attacks.
“We also challenge him to release the figures of Christians who have been killed, and we will also release our well-documented figures.
“Our silence and patience should not be taken for granted by Rev. Dachomo and his enablers,” the statement said.
