Plateau: US Seeks Justice For Slain Family Members Of Rev Dachomo

The United States has condemned the gruesome killing of members of the family of Plateau cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, describing the attack as horrific and urging the Nigerian government to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
In a statement posted on X, the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs expressed condolences to the bereaved families and voiced concern over the persistent violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The bureau noted that the issue had already been discussed with Nigerian officials, stressing the need for stronger measures to prevent similar attacks.
“The United States strongly condemns the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria,” the statement read, adding that urgent action was needed to improve security and protect vulnerable communities.
Washington also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Nigerian government to combat terrorism and violent extremism, insisting that all Nigerians should be able to practise their faith without fear of persecution.
The attack, which occurred on July 12 in Kum community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, claimed the lives of nine members of Dachomo’s extended family, including a two-month-old baby. According to the cleric, the gunmen allegedly asked for him by name before opening fire on his relatives.
Dachomo, the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, said the massacre was the latest in a series of attacks against his family, which he believes are linked to his outspoken stance against what he describes as the ongoing genocide in Plateau State.
He recalled that his grandmother and an uncle were killed in previous attacks, and revealed that days after burying his relatives, he received a written threat from the same armed group, warning that he would be their next victim.
For years, Plateau State has remained a flashpoint of recurring violence driven by farmer-herder clashes, communal tensions and attacks by armed groups, leaving thousands dead and many more displaced despite repeated security interventions.