The Jasawa Community Development Association, (JCDA), has alleged that more than 4,700 Muslims were killed in various crises across Plateau State in the last 25 years.
The association’s National President, Yawale Muhammad, disclosed this during a press conference held yesterday at the Jama’atu Nasril-Islam (JNI) Boardroom of the Jos-Central Mosque, as part of events marking the 27th Annual Commemorative Prayer for victims of past crises.
He stated that the association had compiled documentary evidence of maimed and killed persons, stressing that the figures were gathered through careful tracking across several conflicts in the state.
According to the JCDA, one of the earliest major incidents occurred in 2001, where over 700 Muslims were reportedly killed, followed by hundreds more in the 2002 Eto Baba attack in Jos. The 2004 Yelwa-Shendam crisis further claimed at least 700 lives, while post-election unrest in 2008 resulted in more than 1,000 Muslim deaths.
The association said the 2010 multi-location attacks, which affected areas such as Dutse Uku, Gero, and Kuru Jenta, were among the bloodiest, leading to over 2,000 reported fatalities. The JCDA added that 20 worshippers were killed in the 2011 Rukuba Road Eid prayer-ground attack, with some allegedly cannibalised.
The group also recalled the 2021 Rukuba Road incident, whereby hundreds of Muslim travellers returning from a condolence visit to Sheikh Ɗahiru Bauchi were killed.
The most recent case documented by the association was the 2025 attack in Mangu local government area, whereby 14 Muslim wedding guests from Zaria were killed while travelling to Plateau State.
According to the association, mass graves linked to these crises could be found in various Muslim cemeteries, including Jos-Zaria Road Cemetery, Narguta Cemetery, Daɗin-Kowa Cemetery, and the Yelwa-Shendam Muslim Cemetery, among others.
“For us, every 28th November is not just another date on the calendar. It is a day that subsumes other dark dates, in which unfortunate crises befell us. It is set aside for sober reflection, mourning, truth-telling, prayer, and renewed resolve”, Muhammad said.
He stressed that their intention was not to heighten tensions, but to ensure that the truth is documented and acknowledged. “For 24 years, Muslims in Jos and Plateau State have endured violence, loss, displacement, and state-enabled injustice. Our goal is not to escalate tensions, but to place the truth on record”, he added.
The JCDA called on Nigeria and the international community to recognise the documented events and support the pursuit of justice, peace and genuine reconciliation in Plateau State.
