 has issued a stern warning to the United Plateau Muslims (UPM), saying the Muslim group){kind=link}
Berom Young Warriors (BYW) has issued a stern warning to the United Plateau Muslims (UPM), saying the Muslim group would be held responsible if anything untoward happens to clergyman Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo.
UPM had on Wednesday accused Rev. Dachomo of stoking anti-Muslim and anti-Fulani sentiments in Plateau State, alleging he exaggerated Christian victimhood to attract foreign support.
The statement was signed by the group’s coordinator, Alhaji Jafaar Abbas, and secretary-general, Salisu Adamu.
The Muslim group claimed the cleric deliberately blamed Muslims and Fulani militias for attacks while downplaying violence by Christian militias.
They also said they had documented killings of Muslims and would present the evidence when necessary.
Reacting on Thursday, BYW accused UPM of spreading falsehoods designed to provoke attacks on communities and target Rev. Dachomo.
The youth group described the statement as a scripted campaign by sponsors seeking to incite unrest.
“Everyone knows that 95 per cent of attacks in the state, especially in Berom communities, are carried out by Fulani militias, so to accuse our father of whipping up sentiments is taking our silence for granted,” BYW said.
BYW warned that its calmness should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We have the means and willpower to match them fire for fire. We dare them to attack any part of Beromland, and they will see that we can bite back,” the group added.
The youth body called for serious consideration of the threat to Rev. Dachomo and urged the Muslim group to desist from any harm.
Community leaders and security agencies have been urged to intervene to prevent escalation of tensions in the state.