2010 Massacre:We’re Not Asking Questions, and Why Would Rev. Ezekiel Insist This Is Genocide?—Essiet

In an interview on Arise News, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Abiodun Essiet, has emphasized that the violence in Plateau State, including Yelewata, stems from historical cycles of reprisal rather than a targeted genocide. She highlighted the importance of understanding past attacks to address the root causes of insecurity in the North-Central region.

During her engagements, Essiet met with Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a religious leader who documented previous massacres. She explained that reviewing these historical records is crucial for accurately interpreting the current security situation. In particular, Essiet noted that a series of violent clashes in 2008 led to the deaths of several local men in Plateau villages. The 2010 attacks, which saw around 300 people killed, were linked to these earlier losses, as local groups sought revenge for the deaths of their communities.

Essiet said the federal government’s engagement teams have been documenting attacks, consulting local leaders, and briefing the President to ensure informed responses. She added that crises in Plateau and other North-Central states involve both Christians and Muslims and are often tied to longstanding grievances, land disputes, and cycles of revenge. Addressing the violence requires acknowledging these historical factors rather than framing the situation purely along religious lines.

Her team has conducted listening tours, peace-building sessions, and consultations with community leaders to gather firsthand accounts and develop strategies to restore peace. Essiet also cautioned against misinformation and selective narratives that could exacerbate tensions, stressing the need for careful fact-finding.

In her words: “That’s a reprisal. Why are we not asking critical questions about what exactly happened in 2008? An army of their men were killed, and what led to this reprisal attack? We’re not asking critical questions, and why would the reverend now insist that this is genocide?

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