The Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has alleged that suspected terrorists issued death threats against him and members of his church just days after nine of his relatives were reportedly killed in an attack on communities in Plateau State.
In a statement shared on his X account on Friday, Dachomo said the threatening letter, written in both Hausa and English, warned that he would soon be attacked and killed. He added that copies of the letter had been handed over to security agencies for investigation.
“A few days ago, Fulani herdsmen sent a threatening letter to me and members of my church. 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,” he said.
Despite the alleged threats, the cleric said he remained resolute, declaring that his faith in God had driven out fear.
“Many people have asked me if I am afraid. My answer is no. I am not afraid because my life is in the hands of Almighty God,” he said, quoting Psalm 118:6: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?”
Reflecting on the recent violence, Dachomo described the emotional pain of burying loved ones and comforting families devastated by the attacks.
“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. I know what it means to stand before grieving families whose only crime was refusing to deny Jesus Christ. Now they say I will be next. But I ask the world, what is my crime?” he said.
The cleric questioned whether speaking up for widows, orphans and persecuted Christians had become an offence, insisting that he would continue advocating for victims despite the threats.
“If that is my crime, then I will continue until my last breath,” he stated.
He further maintained that while those behind the threats might succeed in taking his life, they could not silence the truth.
“They may threaten my life, but they cannot silence the truth. They may kill the messenger, but they cannot kill the message,” he added.
Calling on the international community to pay greater attention to the plight of victims of violence in Plateau State, Dachomo urged people to support affected families and demand justice.
“Remember the widows. Remember the orphans. Remember the innocent Christians who continue to suffer simply because of their faith. Stand with us in prayer. Stand with us in truth. Stand with us in demanding justice for every innocent life,” he appealed.
He also said that if he were eventually killed, he wanted to be remembered as someone whose only weapon was the truth.
“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,” he said.
Dachomo alleged that nine of his relatives were among those killed during the July 11 attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Earlier reports confirmed that at least nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old infant, were killed when suspected gunmen attacked the communities late that night. Residents said the assailants invaded the villages around 11:30 p.m., opened fire indiscriminately and also left the village head with critical injuries.
While the deaths of nine members of one family have been reported, Dachomo’s claim that the victims were his relatives has not been independently verified.
The COCIN leader has consistently spoken out against attacks on Christian communities in Plateau State, drawing attention to the killings, displacement of residents and the broader humanitarian crisis affecting the region.
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