A group of Muslims in Plateau State, Nigeria, has disputed the claims of Christian genocide made by Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, a cleric of the Church of Christ in Nations. The United Plateau Muslims (UPM) accused Rev. Dachomo of trying to inflame anti‑Muslim sentiment and secure international grants by portraying Muslims as perpetrators of violence.
In a statement, the UPM cited several incidents in which Christian militias attacked and killed Muslims. These included the 2001 Jos riots, which left more than 290 Muslims dead, and the 2004 Yelwa massacre, which claimed over 700 Muslim lives. The group also referenced a more recent attack in 2021 on a convoy of Muslim travelers that resulted in 22 deaths.
The UPM challenged Rev. Dachomo to provide evidence for his alleged Christian genocide and released its own documentation of Muslim victims. It questioned why Rev. Dachomo had omitted the killing of Muslims from his public statements, suggesting that he was selectively presenting information to demonize Muslims and attract international sympathy.
UPM coordinator Alhaji Jafaar Abbas and secretary‑general Salisu Adamu said Rev. Dachomo’s allegations were part of a broader narrative that paints Muslims as aggressors. They emphasized that both Muslims and Christians have suffered violence in Plateau State and that acknowledging the conflict’s complexities is essential.
The UPM’s response comes amid ongoing tensions between Muslim and Christian communities in the region, where clashes have caused significant loss of life and property. Their statement underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the conflict—one that recognizes the suffering of all parties involved. As the debate over Plateau State’s violence continues, the UPM calls for a more balanced approach that considers the experiences of every affected community.
Comments are closed for this story.