By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The United States government has strongly condemned the brutal killing of family members belonging to Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo in Plateau State, calling on Nigerian authorities to take immediate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In an official statement released via X on Thursday, the US Bureau of African Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy while urging the Federal Government to strengthen security interventions in the affected areas to prevent further violence.
“The United States strongly condemns the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria,” the US Bureau of African Affairs stated.
The bureau noted that Washington remains dedicated to partnering with Nigeria to counter terrorism and curb violent extremism across the country, emphasizing the fundamental right of religious freedom for all citizens.
“The continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt is deeply alarming,” the statement read.
It added that “Christians and other Nigerians must be able to practise their faith without fear.”
The US agency disclosed that talks had already taken place between Washington and Nigerian officials regarding the security situation and the imperative need to safeguard vulnerable groups.
“As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts like those yesterday,” the bureau noted.
It further demanded that “the perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities.”
The condemnation follows a tragic overnight assault on July 12, when gunmen launched an attack on Kum community in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving nine extended family members of Rev. Dachomo dead, including a two-month-old infant.
Reports indicate that the assailants, suspected to be militia members, deliberately inquired after the cleric by name before opening fire on his defenseless relatives.
Rev. Dachomo, who serves as the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, revealed that his family has repeatedly faced targeted attacks due to his vocal stance against ongoing killings in the state, which he describes as genocide.
Recounting previous heartbreaks, the cleric shared that his grandmother and uncle were also killed by extremists during earlier attacks on the community.
Adding to the trauma, Dachomo disclosed that shortly after burying his nine relatives, the militia sent him a written death threat warning that he would be their next target. He revealed that the attackers explicitly vowed to kill him just as they had executed his family members.
For years, Plateau State has remained an epicenter of protracted conflicts fueled by a mix of farmer-herder clashes, communal rivalries, and armed militia raids, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement despite repeated security deployments.
