America denounces murder of relatives of religious leader in Plateau state

The United States has vehemently denounced the brutal slaying of several family members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo in Nigeria's Plateau State, with the State Department's Africa Bureau characterizing the assault as utterly horrific and demanding that those responsible be brought to justice.

n

In a statement released on Thursday via the social media platform X, the US Bureau of African Affairs conveyed Washington's deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and urged the Nigerian authorities to adopt more robust measures to prevent future attacks and ensure accountability for the perpetrators.

n

The statement from the US Bureau of African Affairs explicitly condemned the heinous killing of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo's family members in Plateau State, Nigeria, and expressed profound concern over the ongoing violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable groups in the country's Middle Belt region.

n

The bureau extended its condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by the tragedy, revealing that discussions had already taken place with Nigerian officials regarding the matter, and emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent similar attacks from occurring in the future.

n

According to the statement, the US Bureau of African Affairs stressed that the perpetrators of the attack must be held accountable, and that immediate action is necessary to bolster security and safeguard the lives of Christians and other vulnerable communities.

n

The US government reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian government to combat terrorism and violent extremism in the country, underscoring the importance of ensuring that Christians and all Nigerians can practice their faith without fear of persecution or violence.

n

Tragically, nine members of Rev. Dachomo's extended family, including a two-month-old infant, were brutally massacred in an overnight assault on the Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on July 12.

n

The attackers, believed to be affiliated with Fulani militias, had specifically requested the pastor by name before opening fire on his relatives, highlighting the targeted nature of the violence.

n

Rev. Dachomo, who serves as the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, revealed that his family had been targeted before due to his outspoken activism against what he describes as a genocide in the state.

n

He recounted that his grandmother and an uncle had previously fallen victim to extremist violence, and that just days after burying his recently slain relatives, he received a written threat from the same militia warning that he would be their next target.

n

The militia vowed to kill Rev. Dachomo, just as they had killed nine of his family members, further escalating the sense of danger and urgency surrounding the situation.

n

Plateau State has long been plagued by recurrent bloodshed driven by a complex mix of farmer-herder disputes, communal tensions, and attacks by armed groups, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacements despite increased security deployments in the region.