Burning churches, mosques barbaric, says MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern has condemned the attacks in Plateau State, particularly the recent killings in Kwahaslalek village, Mangu Local Government of the state.

MURIC also condemned the attacks on worship centres in Plateau, labelling the burning of churches and mosques as “barbaric and satanic.”

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who also urged residents of the village and the state at large, to coexist peacefully.

The statement partly read, “MURIC denounces this wanton destruction of lives and properties, particularly houses of worship which should be respected. It is barbaric and satanic. We must learn to coexist peacefully.”

MURIC stated that two churches and six mosques had been burnt, while eight persons were lost.

It stated, “The death toll in the raging crisis in Mangu, Plateau State, has reached eight. Six mosques and two churches have been burnt. The burnt mosques include a central mosque, the Anguwan Dawo Jumat Mosque.

“An Islamic school, Audi Islamiyyah, was also burnt. The two burnt churches, Deden and Assemblies of God’s Church are located in Sabon-Kasuwa in the Dercom and Alogom areas of Mangu. Both belong to COCIN.”

The fresh attack in Mangu LG by gunmen reportedly claimed more than 30 lives in the early hours of Wednesday.

It was gathered that the victims, who were mostly women and children, had scampered for safety in the house of a community leader in the area on Tuesday night following earlier unrest during the day in Mangu town.

This prompted the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to declare a 24-hour curfew on the Mangu LGA on Tuesday.

He said the decision followed the deteriorating security situation in the area after unrest led to the burning of several houses, including churches and mosques.

However, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria in Mangu LG, Timothy Daluk, had accused the Nigerian military of supervising the killings of Christians and destruction of property in the state.

In a viral video seen by our correspondent, Daluk said, “I am here to report the situation happening in Mangu Local Government for the whole world to understand. What is happening in Mangu at this particular point in time, the military are the ones sending our people away for the militia to burn their houses.

“At this particular point in time, they have sent every Christian away from the new market, thereby leaving the Muslims to come and burn their houses.”

Reacting to the accusation, the Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, said it would request to meet Daluk over his recent comment against the military.

However, MURIC noted that despite having both Muslims and Christians living together in the state, it’s the “Northern Muslims who are always targeted for killing.”

It said, “We note with serious concern the consistent consistency of attacks on Northern Muslims who live in Plateau State. We find it noteworthy that although Southern Christians of the South East and South West also reside in large numbers in Plateau State, it is the Northern Muslims who are always targeted for killing. The others have never been attacked…

“The fact that all the eight people who died in the riot are Muslims points to where the aggression first started as well as the targets of the attacks. Reports gathered from the Plateau State branch of MURIC and that of the Jamaat Nasril Islam (JNI) state that the crisis started on Tuesday, 23rd January 2024.”

The group further accused the security operatives under ‘Operation Rainbow’ of being partisan in protecting the lives of Muslims.

MURIC stated that the Muslims weren’t protected, thereby making it possible for the “Christian youths to burn as many as eight mosques while only two churches were affected.”

The Islamic group urged the security operatives to be fair in discharging their duties, as partisanship could make the “crisis escalate beyond imagination.”

MURIC stated, “The reports also affirm that the security outfits in ‘Operation Rainbow’ are partisan as there are complaints that Muslims and their mosques did not receive adequate protection, a situation which made it possible for the Christian youths to burn as many as eight mosques while only two churches were affected.

“We charge the security agents to be fair to all. Partisanship in the security agencies can cause irreparable damage. It can also allow the crisis to escalate beyond imagination.”

MURIC urged residents of Mangu LG and the state in general, to stop the incessant attacks on each other, and cooperate with security agents to curb the killings bedevilling the state.

“We appeal to the people of Mangu in particular and Plateau State in general to stop all forms of hostility. They should cooperate with law enforcement agencies. The name of Plateau State has become synonymous with killing and destruction.

“This has started to scare prospective investors, tourists, and visitors away from the state. This is bound to affect the state’s economy,” the statement read.