The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the latest crisis in Mangu local government of Plateau State which has claimed about eight people and to the combatants for calm.
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, lamenting that worship centres are part of the structures burnt down.
According to MURIC, at least eight persons were killed and worship places comprising six mosques and two churches were some of the structures set ablaze during the two-day ethno-religious clash.
“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 Dercom and Alogom areas of Mangu. Both belong to COCIN.
Scores Feared Killed, Houses Burnt in Renewed Mangu Conflict
“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.
The group charged the security agents to be fair to all, stressing that partisanship in the security agencies can cause irreparable damage. “It can also allow the crisis to escalate beyond imagination,’’ Akintola said.
While appealing for calm, Akintola called on the people of Mangu in particular and all Plateau State people to stop all forms of hostility and learn to live in peace. “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.”
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that scores of people were feared killed in the resurfaced ethno-religious conflict in Mangu area of Plateau State.
Mangu, the agrarian area in the state experienced attacks and counter-attacks believed to be between herders who are mostly Muslims and the natives of Mwagavul community farmers predominantly Christians since March 2023. Hundreds of lives were lost and properties worth millions were destroyed as thousands of people were displaced.
