MURIC condemns Plateau crisis

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the latest Plateau crisis which has claimed about eight people and to the combatants for calm.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director,(MURIC), stated this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

“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.

“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.

“Reports gathered from the state branch of MURIC and that of the Jamaat Nasril Islam (JNI) states that the crisis started on Tuesday.

“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,’’ Akintola said.

He added:“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.”