Plateau massacre: How I saved over 262 Christians from being killed by herdsmen – Imam

A kind-hearted and brave Muslim cleric has told the BBC how he saved about 262 Christians from being killed in the last attack in villages in Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The Imam, who was not named during the interview for security reason, spoke to BBC’s Dooshima Abu yesterday when he recalled in graphic details how he saved the persons fleeing from herdsmen, who had invaded Nghar Yelwa village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

He said “upon seeing victims fleeing from suspected herdsmen who attacked Nghar Yelwa village, I opened the door of the mosque and hid them.”

He said that the 262 persons were running for safety from a neighbouring village in the Barkin Ladi local government area, which was being attacked by gunmen.

After the attack that happened last weekend, villagers insisted that over 200 persons where slaughtered although police report claimed only 86 persons died.

The Islamic cleric told Dooshima Abu, “I hid the women in my personal house and after that, I took the men into the Mosque and hid them there.”

He said when the attackers caught up with him, and forcefully demanded that he release to them those who were Christians in the mosque, “I lied to the gang that everyone in the mosque were Muslims.”

According to him, upon hearing this, the attackers left and went on with their killing spree elsewhere.

According to the report, the Mosque is now the home and refuge for those hidden by the Imam.

Other Berom natives, including some Muslims residing in Barkin Ladi who escaped the attack, ran to Nghar Yelwa for safety, which is the nearest village.