Pastor Faces Death Threats for Exposing Attacks

Nigerian Pastor Facing Death Threats After Exposing Anti-Christian Attacks

A Nigerian pastor is living under constant threat after publicly condemning extremist attacks on Christian communities and calling for international intervention against what he describes as an ongoing genocide. His story has drawn national and global attention, reigniting conversations about religious persecution in Nigeria.

Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo: A Voice Under Fire

The Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, revealed on Oct. 24 that extremists have marked him for assassination. His offense: speaking boldly about repeated killings of Christians and appealing to both the Nigerian and U.S. governments for protection.

“My life is in grave danger… I no longer sleep with my eyes closed,” he told journalists in Jos. According to Dachomo, previous attempts on his life have failed, but new threats emerge daily through calls, messages, and social media.

The Viral Mass-Grave Video That Sparked the Threats

On Oct. 15, a video circulated widely showing Pastor Dachomo standing in a mass grave containing at least 12 murdered church members. They were reportedly victims of Fulani extremist attacks in Rachas (Heipang District) and Rawuru (Fan District).

In the emotional footage, he accused the Nigerian government of denying the scale of Christian persecution:

“Christians are being massacred… They claim Muslims are being killed too, but by whom? By Muslims of course!”

He appealed directly to the U.S. administration, including former President Donald Trump, and to the United Nations, urging them to intervene as they have in other global conflicts.

Military Pushback and Escalating Tensions

Pastor Dachomo stated that part of the hostility toward him comes from military officials. He alleges that security operatives ignored warnings of impending attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi.

“The Nigerian Army issued a press release accusing me of incitement,” he said. “But they are the ones inciting violence by refusing to make arrests.”

A representative of the Nigerian Army later visited his church, promising protection. Meanwhile, international actors—such as former U.S. President Donald Trump—have expressed willingness to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, though analysts doubt any imminent intervention.

A Pastor Prepared for Martyrdom

Despite warnings, Pastor Dachomo insists he will not be silenced. An unconfirmed extremist threat issued on Nov. 7 gave him seven days to live.

In a new video, he said:

“If terrorists kidnap me, nobody should pay a single kobo. My blood will speak, and my grave will fight for Christian liberation.”

The Larger Picture: A Silent Genocide in Northern Nigeria?

Christian leaders in Borno State argue that Dachomo’s case is one example within a broader pattern of systematic persecution. In a recent statement titled “The Unspoken Genocide”, leaders from the Gwoza Christian Community Association (GCCA) chronicled years of targeted violence by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and extremist militias.

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Key Findings from Gwoza Christian Leaders

• 148 of 176 churches previously standing in Gwoza have been burned down.

• Christians have been denied land for worship while mosques are freely established.

• Political and civil representation has long been skewed 95% Muslim to 5% Christian.

• Christian Religious Knowledge is no longer taught in government schools.

• More than 107,000 Christians are scattered across IDP camps in Nigeria and Cameroon.

• Over 50,000 more are displaced, living with relatives in various cities.

• Reconstruction efforts overwhelmingly favor Muslim communities, with virtually no Christian homes rebuilt.

The leaders asked a pointed question:

“If Christians are the alleged perpetrators, who are the suspects? Do attackers call on the name of Jesus while killing?”

Rising Violence Across Nigeria

Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians. The 2025 Open Doors World Watch List reported that:

• 3,100 out of 4,476 Christians killed globally were killed in Nigeria — representing 69% of global Christian martyrdom.

• Fulani extremist militias, Boko Haram, and ISWAP continue to fuel violence through raids, kidnappings, and targeted killings.

• A new jihadist group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest with links to Al-Qaeda’s JNIM insurgency.

While not all Fulani people are extremists, some factions have adopted radical ideologies similar to Boko Haram and ISWAP.

A Plea for Truth, Justice, and Protection

Christian leaders assert that these attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to erase Christian identity across several regions of Nigeria.

Their call is clear:

• Acknowledge the crisis.

• Investigate the killings and displacement.

• Hold perpetrators accountable.

• Provide real security for vulnerable communities.

As Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo continues to face death threats for speaking out, his story encapsulates the urgency of addressing religious persecution in Nigeria before the situation worsens.

Content Credit | Olaoluwa Ayomide

Image Credit | google.com