Christian Leader Challenges Sheikh Gumi Over Empty Coffins Claim

A controversy has erupted in Nigeria after Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric, alleged that Christians in Plateau State and other parts of the Middle Belt are burying empty coffins in mass graves to create a false narrative of genocide. Gumi made the allegation in a Facebook post, citing a doctor who claimed that some Middle Belt Christian groups were staging fake mass killings and burying empty coffins to deceive the world and promote the idea of a Christian genocide.

Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a clergyman from Plateau State, responded by challenging Gumi to provide evidence for his claims or face a court proceeding. Dachomo vehemently denied the accusations, calling them not only false but also disrespectful to the victims and their families. To counter Gumi’s claims, Dachomo led a team of journalists to a mass grave in the Bindi‑Jebbu community of Riyom Local Government Area, where 27 victims—women and children—were buried after being killed by Fulani militias in July 2025. He emphasized that the community is willing to exhume the bodies to prove the coffins are not empty and invited international organizations and media to visit the site to verify the facts.

Dachomo also criticized Gumi for downplaying the killings of innocent people by Fulani militias in the state, describing his actions as a mockery of survivors and a desecration of the dead. He called on the international community, including the United States and the United Nations, to take notice of the situation and provide support to the affected communities.

The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where clashes between Fulani herders and Christian farming communities have resulted in numerous deaths and displacements. It also underscores the need for accurate information and responsible communication to avoid exacerbating the conflict. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how Sheikh Gumi will respond to Reverend Dachomo’s challenge and whether the international community will act to address the violence in the region.