A group calling itself the Berom Young Warriors (BYW) has issued a stark warning to the United Plateau Muslims (UPM), saying the Muslim organisation will be held responsible if anything happens to outspoken clergyman Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo.
UPM, in a statement on Wednesday signed by coordinator Alhaji Jafaar Abbas and secretary-general Salisu Adamu, had accused Rev. Dachomo—the Barkin Ladi regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)—of inciting anti-Muslim and anti-Fulani sentiment in Plateau State and of promoting a narrative of an ongoing “Christian genocide.” The group said it has documented killings of Muslims it attributes to Christian militias and pledged to present evidence.
UPM said Rev. Dachomo repeatedly attributes violence in the state to Muslims and Fulani militias while downplaying attacks by Christian groups, adding that the pastor’s rhetoric appears designed to demonise Muslims and attract international support.
BYW responded on Thursday through its Director of Press, Peter Jang, accusing UPM of spreading falsehoods and of preparing a pretext for attacks on Berom communities. The statement said 95 percent of attacks in the state, “especially in Berom communities,” are carried out by Fulani militias and described UPM’s claims as a deliberate provocation.
“We read with anger the statement by a faceless group which calls itself United Plateau Muslims,” the BYW statement said, adding that the group would “not remain docile” and would retaliate if Rev. Dachomo were harmed. The statement invoked historical grievances and warned of a forceful response.
Both organisations framed their claims as based on documented incidents, but neither provided evidence in the circulated statements. The exchanges underscore deepening tensions in Plateau State, where communal violence between ethnic and religious groups has persisted for years.
As of publication, there was no public response from state security agencies or from Rev. Dachomo. The escalation of threats between community groups highlights the risk of further unrest and the potential need for intervention by security and mediation authorities.