Plateau Killings: How An Imam Saved 262 Christians From Being Slaughtered By Hiding Them In A Mosque

A brave Muslim Imam, helped saved the lives of about 262 person fleeing from some suspected herdsmen who had invaded Nghar Yelwa village in the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.

Exclusive report by BBC.

According to the report, the cleric saved lives by hiding the persons in a mosque upon seeing the victims fleeing from suspected herdsmen who attacked Nghar Yelwa, a village in Plateau state on Sunday, June 24, as the unnamed Imam opened the door of a mosque and hid them.

Amounting to about 262, the persons were running for safety from a neighboring village in the Barkin Ladi local government area, which was being attacked by gunmen.

Although police report claim that only 86 persons died after the attack, villagers insist that the death toll rose beyond 200 victims.

Here's how BBC Pidgin reported the story in full;

Wen one Imam see many pipo run dey enta im village for Nghar Yelwa for Plateau State on Sunday, im no think am two times before im open im door to receive dem.

Di pipo wey dey run na from neighbouring village for Barkin Ladi local goment area, wia suspected herdsmen bin don enta to destroy and kill. Di state Govnor simon Lalong, say more than 200 pipo die for di attack, but according to wetin di villagers tok, those wey dem say die pass 200.

"I first carry di women enta my personal house go hide dem dia, den I come cari di men enta di mosque go hide." Na wetin im tell BBC Pidgin tori pesin Dooshima Abu.

Di total number of pipo wey di Imam hide both for im house and inside di mosque, na 262.

Many of di Berom pipo from Barkin Ladi wey escape and including some Muslim wey bin leave for di area run to di nearest village wey be Nghar Yelwa for safety.

But before you know, di armed men come meet di Imam wey get mind, say make e surrender those wey be Christians make dem kill dem, but im no gree.

Im lie give dem say all di pipo wey dey di mosque na Muslims. Na so e lie for ground and beg di pipo make dem go.

Dis na how some Beroms for di village cari survive di attack.

Now wey dem no get house, di mosque na dia home as dem still dey live dia.

Years back, di Muslim community bin dey look for land to build dia mosque, and di Berom pipo bin give dem land for free, to take build.