Jos residents mourning the d3ad
The Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has cried out with allegations that suspected terrorists sent him and members of his church a letter threatening to k!ll them, days after nine of his relatives were reportedly massacred in a midnight attack on communities in Plateau State.
Dachomo made the claim in a video statement shared on social media on Friday, saying copies of the threat letter had already been handed over to security agencies.
According to him, the letter, written in both Hausa and English, warned that he would soon be attacked and k!lled.
He explained that suspected herdsmen had sent the threatening letter to him and members of his church, vowing to attack and k!ll him just as they allegedly k!lled nine of his relatives, adding that copies had already been submitted to security operatives.
Despite the threats, the cleric said he remained unafraid, insisting his life is in God’s hands, and cited a Bible verse to affirm his trust that no harm from man could overcome him.
Dachomo said the recent attack had left him with painful memories of burying loved ones and comforting grieving families, recounting his experience of burying people he loved, consoling children who witnessed their parents’ k!llings, and standing before families whose only offence was their refusal to renounce their faith.
He questioned what crime he committed to warrant being targeted next.
He further questioned whether advocating for widows, orphans and persecuted Christians constituted an offence, vowing to continue speaking for the voiceless, mourning mürdered parents on behalf of their children, and telling the stories of persecuted Christians in Nigeria for as long as he lives.
He maintained that while his attackers might succeed in taking his life, they could not silence the truth he stands for, noting that even if the messenger is k!lled, the message would remain.
Dachomo called on the international community not to overlook the plight of victims of violence, urging people to remember affected widows, orphans and innocent Christians who continue to suffer for their faith, and to stand in prayer, truth and the pursuit of justice for every life lost.
He added that should he eventually be k!lled, he hoped to be remembered as someone who carried no weapon other than the truth in defence of the persecuted.
Dachomo alleged that nine of his relatives were among those k!lled during the July 11 attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It was earlier reported that at least nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old infant, were k!lled when suspected gunmen attacked the communities late on Saturday night.
According to residents, the attackers stormed the area at about 11:30pm, opened fire indiscriminately and k!lled nine members of one family, while the village head sustained critical injuries.
Although the k!lling of nine members of a single family during the attack has been reported, Rev. Dachomo’s claim that the victims were his relatives could not be independently verified.
The cleric has been a prominent advocate for victims of attacks on Christian communities in Plateau State and has repeatedly spoken publicly about k!llings, displacement and the humanitarian toll of the violence in the state.
About the Author
