Plateau residents raise alarm over threat of violence after Ramadan fasting
Residents Alarmed by Threat of Violence in Plateau State Following Ramadan
JOS, Plateau State — Concerns over potential violence have surged among residents, particularly in the Jos North local government area and other predominantly Muslim neighborhoods, following a disturbing social media post.
Sharfadeen Bature, a local resident, issued a threat via Facebook, alleging that Muslims would retaliate for recent violence that resulted in the deaths of four Muslim traders in Dorowa-Babuje, Barkin Ladi. These incidents occurred amidst a wave of attacks last week that claimed lives from both Christian and Muslim communities.
In his post, written in Hausa, Bature stated, “After fasting, we will deal with them. Everyone should return to their region,” raising fears of impending unrest in the state.
The message has prompted a strong response from residents, many of whom are calling for immediate action from security agencies. They urged authorities to investigate and apprehend Bature due to the nature of his comments.
Community members expressed their concerns on social media, with one user, Edward Nanle, highlighting the potential for such statements to incite religious conflict. “These are the type of people who ignite crises in this state. He should be arrested and prosecuted,” Nanle wrote.
Funom Peter echoed these sentiments, stating, “The security agencies should pick up this guy and investigate, as he may be speaking for a larger group.”
Others, like Istifanus Bitrus, criticized the security response, warning that the threat is serious and should be addressed promptly. Ibrahim Bako and Ezekiel Gyang further emphasized their concerns about perceived disparities in law enforcement, suggesting that similar threats by individuals from different religious backgrounds might receive swifter action.
As tensions rise, residents remain vigilant and are closely monitoring the situation, urging authorities to act decisively.
