The Muslim community in Jos, Plateau State, has said that more than 4,700 of its members have been killed in violent crises in the state since 2001. The figure was announced during a special prayer session held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Jos Central Mosque.
The program, organized by the Jasawa Community Development Association (JCDA), marked the 17th annual commemoration for Muslims killed in various clashes that have shaken Plateau State for more than two decades. The event served as a solemn reminder of the long history of ethno-religious tensions in the state, especially in Jos North, which has repeatedly witnessed deadly violence.
Speaking during the prayer session, the National President of JCDA, Yawale Muhammad, said the Muslim community wanted to correct a public perception that only Christians in the state have suffered attacks. He stressed that Muslims have also been victims of killings, destruction, and displacement since the first major crisis erupted in 2001.
According to Muhammad, the JCDA has been keeping records of Muslim victims from the crises of 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2021, as well as smaller incidents in between. These records, he said, show that over 4,700 Muslims lost their lives during this period.
“The Muslim community is gathered here today to mark the 17th commemoration of the killing of our brothers and sisters since 2001 to date,” he said. “For over two decades, various crises, especially in Jos North, have led to the killing of our members—men and women, young and old.”
He said the annual commemoration on November 28 is more than just another date.
“It is a date that subsumes other dates in which unfortunate crises had befallen us. It is a day for sober reflection, mourning, truth-telling, prayer, and renewed resolve,” he stated.
Muhammad gave a detailed breakdown of the community’s records:
2001 crisis: Over 700 Muslims were killed during the large-scale conflict that erupted in Jos after a disagreement at a mosque turned into widespread violence.
2002 attacks: Hundreds were killed in Eto Baba, another flashpoint area in Jos.
2004 Yelwa-Shendam massacre: At least 700 Muslims were killed following clashes between local groups in southern Plateau.
2008 post-election violence: This remains one of the bloodiest episodes. Muhammad said more than 1,000 Muslims were killed after unrest broke out during the local government elections in Jos North.
2010 attacks: Violent incidents spread across Dutse Uku, Gero, Kuru Jenta, and several other communities, leading to the deaths of more than 2,000 Muslims, according to their records.
2011 Rukuba Road Eid attack: Twenty worshippers were killed during Eid prayers.
2021 Rukuba Road incident: Muhammad said hundreds of Muslim travellers returning from a condolence visit to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi were attacked and killed.
He added that the number of victims has been compiled from community reports, eyewitness accounts, burial records, and information from families of those who died.
The community leader further noted that many victims were buried in mass graves across several Muslim cemeteries in the state, including Zaria Road, Narikuta, Dadin Kowa, and Yelwa-Shendam.
Plateau State has been one of Nigeria’s most troubled regions since the early 2000s. The conflict is often described as a mixture of political, ethnic, and religious tensions involving different groups competing for land, political representation, and economic opportunities.
Jos North, in particular, has experienced repeated outbreaks of violence. The area is home to large populations of both Muslims and Christians, and disputes over indigene rights, political appointments, and land ownership have often led to clashes. Over time, these conflicts have hardened identity lines and created deep mistrust among communities.
Several peace efforts, including government panels, community dialogues, and interventions by religious leaders, have been attempted over the years with varying degrees of success. But the memory of past violence continues to shape relationships and perceptions among residents.
Other speakers at the commemoration urged both Muslims and Christians in Plateau State to remain committed to peace and coexistence.
A community elder, Alhaji Shehu Masalla, said November 28 holds deep meaning for Muslims because it reminds them of the lives lost and the property destroyed over the years.
“November 28 is a special day for us. We remember those who were killed during the crises. We have lost property worth millions of naira. This day is very significant,” he said.
He added that the community is not holding the commemoration to create division or reopen old wounds, but to honour the dead and encourage the living to work for lasting peace.
The prayer session was led by Malam Hamisu Umaru, who said the yearly gathering was not only to honour victims but also to pray for peace in Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.
He said the prayer was important because there can be no real development without peace. Umaru emphasized the need for forgiveness, tolerance, and mutual respect among all ethnic and religious groups living in the state.
“We are praying for Allah’s help so that peace will remain among us, no matter our backgrounds. Without peace, we cannot make progress,” he said.
The JCDA President stressed that the community’s intention in releasing its figures was not to compete with other groups over who suffered more but to ensure that Muslim victims are also acknowledged in conversations about Plateau’s violent past.
He said that healing can only happen when all sides recognise each other’s pain and work together to prevent future conflicts.
“Our losses are real. Our pain is real. But we want peace, and we want a fair understanding of what our people have gone through,” Muhammad said.
