By Palang Paul
The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has raised a fresh alarm over what many Christian leaders describe as the growing persecution of outspoken Christian voices in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Rev. Dachomo, one of the most prominent advocates speaking against the killings of predominantly Christian communities in Plateau State, revealed on Monday that terrorists and extremist elements have renewed threats against his life and increased a bounty allegedly placed on his head because of his continued efforts to expose what he describes as the ongoing genocide against Christians.
The cleric, who recently returned from India where he underwent medical treatment, said he was shocked to discover that those seeking to silence him had intensified their campaign.
“I am among the three people they have marked for death in this country; they have publicly declared that anyone who kills any one of us will be rewarded,” he disclosed.
For years, Rev. Dachomo has been at the forefront of calls for justice for thousands of Christians who have been killed, displaced, and dispossessed of their ancestral lands across Plateau State and other parts of the Middle Belt. His outspoken criticism of the persistent attacks on Christian farming communities has made him a target of those determined to suppress the truth, according to Christian leaders familiar with the situation.
“My name has become a target, my life has been priced by men who hate the truth, yet even with the threats, the fear, and the danger that follows me every day, I cannot abandon my people,” he said.
The cleric spoke passionately about the suffering endured by Christian communities that have repeatedly come under attack, recounting the grief of widows, the cries of orphaned children, and the destruction left behind by years of violence.
“Every morning, I wake up knowing that there are those who wish I would not see another sunrise. Every night, I sleep not knowing what tomorrow may bring. But how can I remain silent when innocent people are crying?” he asked.
Rev. Dachomo insisted that despite the threats, he would not stop speaking on behalf of persecuted Christians whose voices often go unheard.
“If speaking for the voiceless makes me a target, then I will continue to speak. If standing with the oppressed puts my life at risk, then I will continue to stand. If defending my people means carrying a cross of persecution, then by God’s grace I will carry it.”
The latest threat against the COCIN leader has sparked renewed concerns among Christian communities and advocacy groups who warn that individuals exposing the plight of persecuted Christians are increasingly becoming targets themselves.
Many observers believe Rev. Dachomo’s situation highlights the dangers faced by pastors, community leaders, and human rights advocates who continue to draw attention to the relentless attacks on Christian communities across Plateau State and the wider Middle Belt region.
Despite the threats hanging over his life, the cleric remains resolute.
“They may threaten us, they may try to silence us, they may put a reward on our heads, but our hope is not in man, it is in God,” he declared.
As attacks, displacement, and insecurity continue to devastate communities across the region, Rev. Dachomo’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to speak out against the persecution of Christians and demand justice for victims.
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