The Mangu Concerned Muslim Consultative Forum (MCMCF) in Plateau State has denied allegations by a Christian cleric, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, that a church in Mangu Local Government Area was attacked and converted into a mosque.
The group described the claim as baseless and provocative, urging Reverend Dachomo to publicly provide evidence or immediately retract his statement.
Reverend Dachomo, the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), was quoted in an interview with Channels Television and later reported across other digital platforms on December 1, 2025, claiming that one of his churches in Mangu was taken over and converted into a mosque.
Responding to the allegation, MCMCF Chairman, Sheikh Suleiman Haruna, and Secretary, M.A. Lawal, issued a joint statement in Jos, challenging the cleric to name the church, its location, and the date the alleged conversion occurred.
“The MCMCF rejects this dangerous narrative in its entirety and demands immediate proof or public retraction. Until tangible evidence is presented, Reverend Dachomo’s claim remains nothing more than malicious disinformation,” the statement said.
The group accused the Reverend of attempting to stoke religious tension and derail peace efforts in the crisis-hit area.
“The claim was deliberately crafted to portray Muslims as aggressors and usurpers of Christian property, incite hatred, and undermine ongoing peace efforts in the area,” the Forum stated.
Contrary to the claim, the Forum maintained that Muslims acted responsibly during the crisis, even protecting Christian property in Muslim-dominated areas, including a COCIN church in Sabon Kasuwa that remained untouched.
“In stark contrast, mosques destroyed during the crisis, including those in Mangu Daawo and other places, have been turned into refuse dumps and open defecation sites,” the Forum added.
The Forum warned it would no longer tolerate what it described as defamatory statements against the Muslim community in Mangu LGA.
“Facts must precede fear. Peace must prevail over provocation. Failure to provide basic facts on the same platform where the allegation was circulated will confirm that the claim is baseless,” it said.
The group demanded a public apology and urged Reverend Dachomo to retract the statement if he could not substantiate it with verifiable evidence.
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