Breaking News
Christian Genocide: United Plateau Muslims’ (UPM), Alleges Rev. Dachomo Of Stirring Up Sentiment Against Muslim
An Islamic group under the aegis of ‘United Plateau Muslims’ (UPM), has disagreed with Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s regular claims of Christian genocide in the state, accusing the man of God of trying to whip up sentiments against Muslims.
The group, which was reacting to an interview session the fire-spitting cleric had with News Central TV on Tuesday, where he insisted that there was clear evidence of killings in the state, said there have also been instances of Christians killing Muslims in some communities in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday
jointly signed by the Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Jafaar Abbas, and Secretary General, Salisu Adamu, the UPM stated that Rev. Dachomo was playing out a script meant to demonize Muslims in the state to get grants from international donors and make the Christians hate Muslims.
“We have watched with keen interest but with restrained consternation the daily demonization of Muslims, Hausas, and Fulanis by Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the Barkin Ladi Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), and we wonder if he is the only pastor in Plateau State.
“Every other day, he comes up with different allegations of Muslims and Fulanis killing Christians in the state just to whip up unnecessary sentiments and hatred for Muslims and the Fulani people. Why he does this, we cannot tell,” the group claimed.
It stated that as much as Rev. Dachomo attributes every attack and violence in Plateau to the handiwork of Muslims and Fulani militias, there are also Christian militias, especially from the Berom ethnic group, who also attack and kill Muslims.
“In an interview with News Central TV on Tuesday, Rev. Dachomo challenged Muslims to show evidence that our people have also been killed. He even said he has documented the killings of Christians and their graves, which he threatened to show to the ICC.
“We also want to let him know that we have also documented a series of killings of Muslims carried out by Christian militias across the state, and will also present the evidence whenever he does so.
“In September 2001, during the Jos riots in Dilimi, over 290 Muslims were killed by Christian militias during weeks of inter-communal violence while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
“In 2004, between February and May, hundreds of Muslims were massacred in Yelwa, Shendam LGA by Christian youths. In that incident alone, over 700 Muslims, including women and children, were killed.
“In November 2008, following a disputed election in Jos North, Christian militias attacked some Muslim settlements and killed over 700 people, while in January and March 2010, 174 Muslims were also killed in Kuru Karama by armed mobs of Christian Berom youths.
“In August 2021, , a convoy of 90 Muslim travelers returning from an Islamic religious event was attacked by Irigwe youths along Rukuba Road, Jos North. At least 22 people were killed, and many others were injured or missing. Early this year, 27 Muslims traveling to Quan Pa’an for a wedding were ambushed in Mangu and killed by Christian youths.
“There have also been incidents where Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavul, and Tarok youths, who are mostly Christians, would attack Muslim and Fulani-dominated communities,” it said.
The UPM wondered why Rev. Dachomo had failed to mention these attacks and the killing of Muslims.
“He is only concerned about the killing of Christians in attacks that are mostly reprisal attacks.
“We also challenge him to release the figures of Christians who have been killed, and we will also release our well-documented figures.
“Our silence and patience should not be taken for granted by Rev. Dachomo and his enablers,” the statement said.
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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