Nigeria | Controversy over Number of Casualties in latest Religious Violence

By: Victor Ulasi, Nigeria

It was a sad development as the Plateau state Government prepared for the burial of 380 innocent victims killed during the recent religious crash between Christians and Muslims. The killings occurred in Dogo Na Hawa village on Sunday morning, March 7, 2010 and was said to be a counter revenge by the Muslims on the last religious attack by the Christians.

The mass burial was performed around 5:00pm on March 9, 2010.  Top officials of the state government paying their last respect for the dead attended the burial ceremony.  It was reported that 57 bodies were buried at Dogo Na Hawa and others were said to be buried in other villages that were also attacked.

The Special adviser to the state governor on media, Dan Manjang, gave the total number of those buried in an interview with reporters: “The total of 380 dead bodies were buried today and as you can see we have come here to pay respect to the dead and to let the people know that we feel their pain and sympathize with them. We also urge the people of Plateau state to refrain themselves from violence and maintain peace.”

As complications arose over the number of casualties by the suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday morning at three villages in Plateau state, the state government aide Mr. Dong Majan said “no fewer than 500 or more were killed during the religious killings, which makes me wonder why the media keep reporting that 200 people were killed.  Moreover, over 95 persons involved in the killings have been arrested.”

The aide further said that he will not give a misleading figure: “ I am not giving you an unconfirmed report as a video is available to prove it.  The Commissioner of Information, Mr. Gregory Yanlang was there to count the number of dead bodies along with some other state officials and they made the video there.  I am saying this because I want the world to know the accurate figure of the casualties.”

Posted by worldnews on March 9, 2010. Filed under International Criminal Justice,International News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.