We lost 4,700 members to Plateau crisis – Muslim community

Muslim community in Jos, the Plateau state capital, on Friday held a 17th commemoration prayer for over 4,700 victims of the various crises in the area and the state at large.

According to the community, the prayer session, organized every November 28, was held at the Jos Central Mosque and began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an for the repose of those who lost their lives after the 2008 local government election, where hundreds of people were killed.

Recalling some of the incidents in the two decades of crisis in the state, the community noted during the prayer that the crisis, which started in 2001, has claimed the lives of thousands of men and women, young and old, across various LGAs of the state.

Speaking during the prayer, the National President of Jasawa Community Development Association (JCDA), Yawale Muhammad, said from the crises in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, and others, they have documented the number of Muslims that were killed.

“For us, every 28th November, is not just another date on the calendar. It is a date that subsumed other dates in which unfortunate crises had befalling us. It  is also set aside for sober reflection, mourning, truth-telling, prayer and renewed resolve,” he said.

According to him, in 2001, over 700 Muslims were killed, hundreds were attacked in 2002 in Eto Baba, Jos, while the 2004 Yelwa-Shendam crisis added at least 700 fatalities to the toll.

“One of the episodes occurred in 2008, when post-election unrest in Jos resulted in over 1,000 Muslim deaths, followed by the 2010 multi-location attacks, including Dutse Uku, Gero, Kuru Jenta and other areas, where more than 2,000 Muslims were reportedly killed.

“In 2011, violence at the Rukuba Road Eid praying ground left 20 worshippers dead while the 2021 Rukuba Road incident claimed hundreds of lives among Muslim travellers returning from a condolence visit to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. From our record, we have lost 4, 700 people,” the JCDA said.

“We have mass graves at Jos Zaria road Muslims cemetery, Narkuta Muslims cemetery, Dadin Kowa Muslims cemetery, Yelwan Shendam Muslim Cemetery and others.”

Also speaking at the prayer session, Alhaji Shehu Masalla, a community leader, said, “November 28 is a special day for us as Muslims because we remember those who were killed during the period. We have lost property worth millions of naira. This day is very significant for us.”

Malam Hamisu Umaru, who led the prayer session, said it is very important, especially for the victims, adding that the prayer is also meant to seek Allah’s help for the people of the state to remain in peace with one another, irrespective of their ethno-religious beliefs, noting that without peace, there would be no development.

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