Moral equivalency is a matter of dogma in the mainstream media: When five hundred Christians were massacred in their homes by machete-wielding Muslims in Nigeria’s Plateau Province on the night of March 7, news reports claimed it was simply retaliation for previous attacks on Muslims. That is an outright falsehood, according to The Barnabas Fund, an interdenominational Christian organization devoted to assisting Christians around the world who face persecution.
Here is the Barnabas Fund’s press release laying out the facts:
Nigeria: Media Distortions Of Anti-Christian Massacres In Jos:
The world has been horrified by the bloodshed in Jos, the capital of Nigeria’s Plateau State, as reported by the international media during the last six weeks. It appears, however, that deliberate manipulation and deception at a local level have meant that international reporting has been inaccurate, and has created the false impression that Christians were the aggressors and Muslims the victims when the reality is the opposite. So Christians have become double victims, suffering not only violence but also unjust blame.
Two incidents of large-scale violence have occurred, first in the city of Jos itself on Sunday 17 January 2010, and then in three mainly Christian villages to the south of Jos on Sunday 7 March.
In the latter incident men from the Muslim Fulani tribe, armed with swords and machetes, arrived at the villages in the early hours of the morning. The residents of Zot, Dogo Nahauwa and Rastat were woken by the sound of gunshots and ran terrified into the streets, where the attackers were waiting for them. A horrendous massacre followed. Local police say 109 people were killed, but other sources suggest this figure could be much higher, perhaps up to 500.
Some media sources have reported that this atrocity was in retaliation for an attack by Christians on Muslims in Jos in January, where up to 300 people died. It is clear, however, that this earlier violence was started by Muslims who attacked a church. (See previous article: Nigeria: Religious Violence in Jos – The Christians Speak Out) Christian leaders in Nigeria acknowledge that some Christians retaliated and do not condone their actions, but there is no evidence to suggest that their response was on the size or scale reported in the media. There are conflicting reports about how many of the dead in January were Christians and how many Muslims. Baroness Caroline Cox notes that “In the violent attacks, not only in Plateau state but also in neighbouring Bauchi and other northern states, a consistent pattern has emerged … the Muslim militants take corpses to mosques, where they are photographed and released to the media, creating the impression that these are Muslim victims.”
In January a church leader in Jos expressed his belief that Muslims had carried false reports about the conflict to the international media in order to discredit the Church. Confirmation of this view may be found in a video report produced by the Aljazeera news channel in co-operation with a powerful Nigerian Muslim organisation called Jama’atu Nasril Islam and later posted on YouTube via various Muslim websites. Not only does this video suggest that the January violence was simply a massacre of Muslims by Christians; it also appears to use footage from other contexts altogether, spliced in to give bogus support to its story.
It is in this context that the violence on 7 March has been reported as “retaliation” by Muslims against Christians, but this has been denied by the governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, who said that it cannot plausibly be seen as a reprisal for the earlier outbreak. He has also criticised another Aljazeera report on the January violence, saying, “Some people moved Aljazeera there and then covered dead bodies and started labelling them. When you cover dead bodies and start labelling them, who knows who you are covering?”
An eyewitness account from 7 March describes how “attackers were shooting to herd fleeing villagers toward another group of attackers carrying machetes … The attackers asked people, ‘Who are you?’ in Fulani, a language used mostly by Muslims, and killed those who did not answer back in Fulani.” By Sunday afternoon the bodies of the dead were lining the dusty streets. Many of the victims were among the most defenceless – elderly people, women and children, including a four-day-old baby. All the churches in Dogo Nahawa had been burned down, and many homes had been torched. The next day Christians wailed in the street and sang hymns to Jesus as a truck carried dozens of bodies to a mass grave. Hundreds of Christians have fled their homes, fearing further attacks. Significantly, Ben Kwashi, the Anglican Archbishop of Jos, has called the attacks “systematic and quite well organised”, indicating that they were pre-planned.
Incidents of large-scale anti-Christian violence have occurred periodically in Nigeria’s Middle Belt (where Christians and Muslims are roughly equal in number), and sometimes in the Muslim-majority North, for many years. But recently these have become more frequent and severe, with major outbreaks in Jos (November 2008), Bauchi State (February 2009), Borno State (July 2009) and Jigawa State (February 2010), in addition to those described above.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, comments,
“Once again our brothers and sisters in Jos have suffered grievously in anti-Christian attacks. The seemingly skewed reporting by the international media of the January violence has exposed them to the risk of unjust ‘retaliation’. Please join us in praying for them in their acute distress, and ask that the Lord will protect them from further harm. It is so rare that the international media report incidents in which Christians suffer violence or injustice. How tragic that in this case they have done so but with such a strong anti-Christian bias as to make the Christians seem the aggressors not the victims.”
Barnabas Fund is sending assistance to those bereaved or made homeless by the violence.
March 18th, 2010 | 12:51 pm
Making it news… making it viral
March 18th, 2010 | 1:16 pm
[...] Via David P. Goldman. [...]
March 18th, 2010 | 2:28 pm
I cut and pasted the story and sent it to the head quarters of my denomination asking them to respond with what ever means they have.
March 18th, 2010 | 3:51 pm
Are you really reprensent religious group ( Christian) or What? Is if yes why are bringing baseless information? did you read so far Jang plan to eliminate so call Hausa? Please read the following information.:
Plateau Governor armtwists IGP to cancel kinsmen’s redeploymentIt has been revealed how Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state aborted the transfer of 60 police personnel, mostly his kinsmen, said to be ‘loyal’ to him few days after the breakout of the 2008 sectarian riots that left several hundreds dead in Jos.
According to a document obtained by Peoples Daily, the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police had redeployed about 60 of its personnel (see list below) from Plateau state Police Command to other states of the country, but the postings were quickly cancelled following pressure from Jang.
According to a letter by the Plateau governor to the Inspector General of Police, the request for the retention of the police personnel was in view of their loyalty to the governor.
In a letter signed by Jang to the Police Headquarters entitled: “Re: Force Re-Organisation,” and dated December 10, 2008, the governor had said that, “I write to request for the cancellation of transfer of the under mentioned Police personnel affected in the re-orgnisation of Plateau state Police Command in letters No. CB 4770/WEL/FHQ/ABJ/SUB. 1/3 dated 21/11/2008,” the letter stated.
The letter went further to state that “these personnel affected are attached to Government House, Rayfield, Jos for the provision of security coverage.
“I have found them most loyal, dedicated and committed to their duties throughout the period that I have been in office. I therefore crave your indulgence to consider and rescind their movement, as their services are still required,” Governor Jang said.
The need to redeploy the police personnel, Peoples Daily investigations revealed, was hinged on the alleged damning reports returned against them for their alleged complicity and partisanship in the crisis.
On the governor’s request, an Assistant Police Commissioner of Police (PMF), ACP Ahmed Bello, writing for the Commissioner of Police (PMF), Force Headquarters in Abuja on December 24, 2008 wrote to the commanding officers in Ibadan, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Jos, Calabar, Yola, Awka, Abakaliki and Gusau, where the 60 policemen were earlier posted to.
The memo said: “Find attached, a copy of the letter No. GH/S/J/R dated December 10, 2008 with Inspector General of Police footnote for your necessary action.
“You are to warn and release men affected to report back to their former squadrons, please.”
But speaking to one of our reporters last night, Commissioner of Information and Communications, Gregory Yenlong, said that it was pure mischief for someone to bring up an issue that took place nearly two years and such matter was not connected to any crisis.
He denied insinuations that the deployment of the police personnel was due to partisanship on the part of the police officers.
“I can categorically inform you that the reason the governor asked for their redeployment to be cancelled is that he found them very loyal in ensuring peace and security in the state.
“Having been sworn in newly, he needed people that can assist in maintaining peace and order in the state. As chief security officer of the state, the governor felt he should request for the retention of services of security personnel crucial for peace in the state,” Yenlong said.
The commissioner questioned the rationale for bringing the issue to public domain, saying that the governor’s action was done in the hope of ensuring the safety and security of the state.
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Ojukwu Emmanuel, said that it was the prerogative of the IG to post police personnel and he is also at liberty to cancel such postings.
He declined further comment on the matter, as according to him he was not aware of the letter from Jang and the cancelation of the posting for 60 police officers and men in Plateau.
Inspector John Jang
Inspector Dauda Jibem
Inspector Paul Mwanti
Inspector Williams Mark
Inspector Dimi Grip
Inspector Yakubu Daba
Sgt Bongro …….
Sgt Bulus Izang
Sgt Bitrus Yakubu
Sgt Dangyang Mwadvwang
Sgt Patrick Maisaje
Sgt Zingdam Lar
Sgt Bulus Yakubu
Sgt Solomon Atang
Sgt Anthony John
Sgt Timothy Mwanbong
Sgt Dadung Gyang
Sgt Julnan Wuyep
Ayuba Bapzan
Michael Mikai
Cpl Gyan Toma
Cpl Nelson Bising
Cpl Audu Williams
W/cpl Grace Francis
Cpl Godwin Tita
Cpl Bulus Madaki
Cpl Emmanuel Katai
Cpl Nanzing Wilfred
PC Moses Chechet
PC Akila Magaji
PC Linus Igwe
PC Peter Yakubu
PC Sardauna Emmanuel
PC Samuel Pam
PC Bunah David
PC Benjamin Kilyobas
PC Bobai Dariya
PC Dangyang Jerry
PC Nanloh Ganyir
PC Micah Peter
W/pc Dinatu John
Sgt Josiah Ayuba
Sgt Samaila Musa
Sgt Christopher Bongning
Sgt Alexander Koshi
Sgt Emmanuel Joseph
Sgt Sati Shallong
Sgt Danladi Sabo
Cpl Nenfort Jibin
Cpl Dashe Entilik
Cpl Wakbe Nchen
Cpl Benle Dabet
Cpl Wudema Yakubu
Cpl Toma Azi
Cpl Nenman Barde
Pam Yakubu
Pc Kennedy Ishaya
http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/news/59-front-page/11159-jangs-loyal-policemen-revealed
March 19th, 2010 | 3:41 am
Very good writing, but i wonder if you also wrote a similar article when a similar incident which targeted Muslims in January. you’re a christian so i can see why you maybe biased. we should sympathize with the christian victims whereas the Muslim victims can go to hell. HYPOCRITE!!!
March 19th, 2010 | 10:33 am
N.A.B., I don’t recall any Moslem organization speaking up to condemn this massacre of Nigerian Christians, which seems pretty hypocritical to me; “religion of peace”, and all that. Considering the rioting that broke out in Islamic countries over some cartoons, couldn’t they spare a little indignation over something as horrendous as this?
Maybe you’re a bit biased? At any rate, it would be better to address the actual incident, rather than the author’s alleged hypocrisy.
Also, what is this “similar incident” involving Moslems you mention? Where did it take place? Who was involved, and what was the apparent motivation behind it? Be more specific, please. Can you provide a link?
March 19th, 2010 | 11:39 am
Dear Sir, The media bias aside, the entire affair isn’t sectarian. To think so is easy yet it is stereotypical and hysterical. These events have are politically incited. People ignore their historical roots at their peril. (See http://www.sharia-in-africa.net/media/publications/ethno-religious-conflict-in-Jos-Nigeria/Ostien_Jos.pdf)
Neither Governor Jonah David Jang and his ilk nor the northern political elite are blameless. Ethnic discrimination is rife in Nigeria. For a fractious nation currently undergoing a power shift, primordial instincts are being stoked – as they have in the past.
Ineffectual and venal, an all too powerful central government has used whatever means to polarise the country. Hopefully, this time, as we muddle through again, our moment of discernment may just be nigh.
March 19th, 2010 | 1:51 pm
I was furious when watching CNN to find the CNN reporter based there being so biased towards Christians in Nigeria or did not bother to do his job properly! This was a part of my email to CNN, on 10/03/10, on the Christian massacre in Jos, Nigeria: “Dear CNN,
……In the first case, yesterday, the CNN reporter did not elaborate in detail the previous clash between Muslims and Christians; and was implying as if trying to justify the recent massacre of Christians as if due to the mass killings of Muslims previously. This is very misleading and dangerously false. From what I have read previously, in that previous incident, the Muslims started the riot, targeting Christians and their churches due to their anger with a small police incident. The Christians retaliated and both Muslims and Christians were mass murdered. I suspect, that Al-Qaeda who is trying to gain control in Africa and (oil rich South East Asia of Malaysia and Indonesia) , targeting oil-rich countries with sizeable Muslim population , are behind this strategic but most deceitful “clash of civilizations” (which is increasingly being conducted globally), but this possibility is not being done in more diligent research, by the reporter…”
March 19th, 2010 | 2:13 pm
[...] MORE [...]
March 19th, 2010 | 8:39 pm
[...] Not for the JewsI read the arguments for and against Palazzi. My money is on Spencer……Barnabas Fund Exposes Media Coverup of Massacres of Christians in NigeriaMoral equivalency is a matter of dogma in the mainstream media: When five hundred Christians were [...]
March 20th, 2010 | 4:31 am
@ Rhinestone. You’re obviously not nigerian to not know what im talking about. Dont get me wrong, it condemn these acts of violence whether the victims are muslims or christians. My point is if you follow the events happening in nigeria over the past 3 months or so you will notice what im talking about. When a muslim village was attacked in june, muslim women and childen were killed, their bodies burnt and stuffed into wells. Now you may not have heard this because the media covered the incident as “Nigerians killed in ethnic violence” or something along that line. Now that the victims are christians, the headlines read ” Fulani attack christian villages”. Do you see the contrast.
Yet this is just a universal paradigm, the interpratations are differrnent when the muslims retaliate, thats when they question our religion.
You claim there are no Muslim organizations that have spoken to condemn the massacre. At least thats better than taking one side
March 20th, 2010 | 4:34 am
The incident i refer to above took place in january not june.
March 20th, 2010 | 9:59 am
When the truth is not told and a spade is not called a spade their is no other option than the conflict to continue or even escalate. Conflicts abounds everywhere in the world. Yoruba man in Jos has conflict with the Beroms but rather slot it on the street they’ll go to the police station to try and sort it out. Same with Igbo man and other tribes. But with Hausa and Fulani dagger is the law. For all the riots that have taken place in Nigeria since 1978, be it in Shagamu, or Kano, or Lagos, or Maiduguri or Jos, the Hausas ALWAYS draw the first blood. Stop any Hausa man and check him up and you’ll find dagger on him. This is core of the problem. Once the psychic of aggrieved person is recourse to machetes, knives and guns there is not going to be an end to violence. No one has monopoly of violence– and that’s why the other group react. Say the truth– the aggressors are always the Hausa in all riots. If they sheath their swords then there would be an end to violence. Someone needs to teach them that police and court are there for them and killing is not acceptable. The way to teach this lesson is applying the full weight of the law to perpetrators of any violence. All of this Christian-Muslim argument is an aberration. Deal with the issue on basis of the law and that will end the circle of violence we are embroiled in. The case with Nigeria is however the failure of law enforcement. Many times the law enforcer will free or abet his kinsmen.The Police commissioner and the GOC failing in their duties should never be condoned. There should be god-fatherism in law enforcement. Put only law enforcement officers that have risen above ethnicity in charge. If Nigeria refuses to enforce the law then Nigeria does not deserve to be a Nation.
March 20th, 2010 | 10:09 am
Correction: *There should be NO god-fatherism in law enforcement
March 20th, 2010 | 11:39 am
Please, see An Open Letter to Nigerian Christians and Muslims on the Violence in Nigeria on http://www.nigeriansreport.com/2010/03/open-letter-to-nigerian-christians-and.html.
March 20th, 2010 | 2:16 pm
N.A.B., you’re still being real vague; “A Moslem village”—a Moslem village where? In Nigeria? Someplace else? Who were the attackers? Christians? Other Moslems? Men from Mars? Can you provide a link? Oh, and this attack happened in an entirely different month than the first one you refer to (and you don’t provide any links, or sources, for that, either.)
And, no, I don’t think that’s better than just taking one side; I think that argument’s B.S. If Islam wants to be taken seriously as a “Religion of peace” it needs to condemn this stuff.
March 20th, 2010 | 2:19 pm
Thanks for link, Orikinla.
Looks like the strife really is becoming sectarian, N.A.B, just not tribal.
March 20th, 2010 | 3:44 pm
@ Gaskiya, there is a big contrast with the way you start your past and the way you finish it. You start by laying all blame for all tiots taking place in Nigeria since 1978 on the Hausas and then you finish by asking Nigerians to rise above ethnicity. Why dont you start with yourself. “Every Hausa man has a dagger on him”. For an eloquent person as yourself you really should be less ignorant. Yet you call yourself gaskiya. I dont feel the need to defend Hausa people to the likes of you, truth is we are what we are.
March 21st, 2010 | 12:34 am
someone send this story to atlasshrugs.com
March 21st, 2010 | 6:47 pm
TO N.A.B: Truth, as they say, is bitter and I can see you are not willing to swallow the truth. In all of these “religious” conflicts, does it not bother you that it is ALWAYS Hausa/Fulani versus the other groups combined? There is no “rising above ethnicity” in that statement. If my brother did something wrong and I call it shouldn’t that be the norm rather than exception? A spade is a spade regardless of his color, tribe or ethnicity. A law enforcement agent who is allowing his tribal or religious associates to evade or break the law with impunity is destroying the fabric of the nation and not helping our common cause. If justice is not seen to be carried out then there would be no deterrent and the circle of violence will continue as it is in the case of Jos. Enforcement of the law is what teaches the people to respect and obey the law. If the law is not consistently applied, particularly above ethnic and religious sentiments, confidence in law enforcement will erode, a groundswell of resentment against a group will over time build which will lead to, God forbid, a pogrom. A word is enough for the wise!
March 22nd, 2010 | 4:11 am
It doesn’t matter who the victims are? Muslim or Christians they should not be victims of any massacre act. Our God is a God of peace and Love at the least the Christian God that I know & worship. A question that I never get the answer is that why do the Muslims shout ‘Allah wa’ Akbar’ when ever they kill innocent children, women and men? is God’s greatness proved by killing? is there any act of remorse & forgiveness in the very core of the religion? I think Muslims need to sit and reflect on the very core of their teaching & reject any act of killing as a means to get into heaven. I was told Islam means peace but I don’t see that any where, where ever there is a Muslim majority there is killing & abusing of other religion followers. Why? why? is their heaven a different heaven that welcomes killers/murderers?
March 22nd, 2010 | 7:55 am
[...] Media Coverup In Jos, Nigeria Massacres, Exposed By Barnabas Fund!-www.firstthings.com Share and Enjoy: [...]
March 23rd, 2010 | 8:21 am
Justice, you do often hear that Islam means peace, but the actual meaning of the Arabic word is ‘submission’. ‘Salam’ is the Arabic word for peace. The root is the same, which is where the confusion begins. In my experience of living for over 10 years in the Arab world, most Muslims are peace-loving, so I am not trying to demonize them. I think an accurate reflection of history would show that when people are submitted to God then they can live in peace. An Arab Muslim friend of mine agreed that this was a good explanation of the concept of Islam as a religion of peace.
The solution to inter-religious conflict should be a state which upholds the rule of law. But religious leaders exert a great deal of influence and they can choose to forgive and make peace or to play the victim and stoke revenge.
Links
Blogs
Find Us
Contact