Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, has sounded a desperate alarm over fresh death threats against his life, revealing that suspected Fulani herdsmen have vowed to kill him after already wiping out nine members of his extended family in a brutal attack. In a statement posted on his X account on Friday, July 17, 2026, and addressed "To the World," the outspoken cleric disclosed that the threats were contained in letters written in both Hausa and English, copies of which have been submitted to security operatives. Despite the grave danger, Dachomo declared he is not afraid, insisting that his life is in the hands of Almighty God. "A few days ago, Fulani herdsmen sent a threatening letter to me and to members of my church," he said. "The letter was written in both Hausa and English and its message was terrifying. They vowed to attack me and kill me soon just as they killed nine of my relatives."
The grim saga began on the night of July 11, 2026, when armed men believed to be Fulani terrorists stormed Kum Community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, massacring nine people in a coordinated attack. Dachomo, who conducted a mass burial for the deceased on Monday, July 13, revealed that all the victims were members of his extended family—his uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces. "We are here once again to conduct another mass burial for our people, and once again, all these victims are members of my family, my own blood. And they will say there is no genocide in Plateau State," he said during the burial. He recalled that this was not the first time his family had been targeted; his grandmother was killed and her heart cut out, while one of his uncles was butchered and his tongue removed.
The victims, all members of the James family, were identified as Celina James, 38; Yohanna James, 21; Janet Yohanna, 18; Jenifer Yohanna, 3 months; Sele James, 18; Melody James, 16; Rito James, 10; Endurance James, 8; and Peace James, 3. Only one survivor, Pam Yohanna, escaped with injuries and is currently receiving medical attention. Dachomo said the attack was a deliberate attempt to target him personally. "Kum is my second home. When I was young, I used to come here and stay with my family. Now look what the Fulani Islamic extremists have done just to target me," he lamented. Yet, in a striking display of forgiveness, he declared: "Fulani killers, I have forgiven you for this murder of my family members."
Speaking emotionally in a viral video, Dachomo expressed profound grief and frustration, stating that he would rather be arrested than continue living in fear while mourning his loved ones. "Under the Muslim-Muslim ticket they want to finish us. Please, I'm waiting for my arrest. It will be far better for me to be in police custody, army custody or guard room than to be outside crying every day, mourning, suffering and comforting my people," he declared. Despite the threats, he quoted Psalm 118:6: "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?"
Dachomo, who has been one of the loudest voices exposing what he describes as Christian persecution in Nigeria, questioned why he had become a target. "Is my crime that I speak for widows who have no voice? Is my crime that I cry for orphaned children whose parents were murdered? Is my crime that I tell the stories of persecuted Christians in Nigeria so the world will not forget them? Is my crime that I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and refuse to remain silent while innocent people are killed?" he asked. "If that is my crime, then I will continue until my last breath." He quoted John 15:20, saying Christians should expect persecution, and declared: "I did not choose this path because it is safe. I chose it because truth must never bow before terror. They may threaten my life, but they cannot silence the truth. They may kill the messenger, but they cannot kill the message."
The cleric appealed to the international community not to look away from the plight of persecuted Christians in Nigeria. "Today I ask the world not to look away. Remember the widows. Remember the orphans. Remember the innocent Christians who continue to suffer simply because of their faith," he said. "Stand with us in prayer. Stand with us in truth. Stand with us in demanding justice for every innocent life." He added that even if he were killed, his advocacy would not be in vain. "And if one day my voice is silenced, let the world remember that I never carried a weapon. My only weapon was the truth. My only mission was to defend the persecuted. My only desire was to let the world know that the blood of innocent people cries out before God."
Dachomo has faced death threats for years, including a bounty placed on his head by Islamist extremists. In June 2026, he alleged that a fresh death threat and bounty had been placed on him, urging Muslims to hunt him down. He has also rejected asylum offers from Australia and Austria, insisting he would not abandon his flock. In November 2025, a United States congressman warned that the US would not take it lightly if anything happened to Dachomo. Despite the mounting threats, the cleric remains defiant. "I know what it means to bury those I love. I know what it means to wipe the tears of children who watched their parents murdered. Now they say I will be next. But I ask the world: What is my crime?" he asked. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
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