The United States has strongly condemned the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Bureau of African Affairs in the state department on Thursday, the US government described
the continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt as deeply alarming.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and all those affected. As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts like those yesterday. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities”, the statement reads.
“The United States remains committed to working with the Nigerian government and our partners to combat terrorism, counter violent extremism, and ensure that Christians and all Nigerians can live and practice their faith freely without fear of violence or persecution”, the statement further stated.
Rev Dachomo, an outspoken critic of the killing of Christians by radicalized Muslim members of the Fulani militia, had earlier revealed that nine members of his family have been killed by the group.
Multiple sources confirmed that nine of his extended family were killed in an attack on their family compound in the Riyom district of Plateau State on July 12. A two-month-old baby is said to be among those killed. The attackers were allegedly looking for Dachomo, reportedly asking as they arrived “where is the father of this house?” adding, “Today, you will learn a hard lesson”, before opening fire indiscriminately.
Dachomo, the regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, has revealed that the same militia has issued a death threat against him.
This past week, he posted on X “A few days ago, Fulani herdsmen sent a threatening letter to me and to members of my church. It’s message was terrifying. They vowed to attack me and kill me soon, just as they killed nine of my relatives.”
The pastor continued, “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 posted. “Is my crime that I tell the stories of persecuted Christians in Nigeria, so the world will not forget them?”
“The Islamist Fulani ethnic militia hate Pastor Ezekiel and targeted him because he is waking up Christians to the reality of what they are facing,” Judd Saul, founder of Equipping the Persecuted, said. Saul’s organization works to end religious persecution in Nigeria, specifically aiming to end radical Islamist violence against Christians.
By the end of 2025, Dachomo said he had to conduct over 70 mass burials of Christians. The burials have continued this year, with the post highlighted by President Trump showing the Pastor presiding over the funeral of some 20 believers.
Saul believes the killing will continue, saying “Equipping the Persecuted have documented overwhelming evidence that the Islamist Fulani ethnic militia are responsible for the vast majority of killings of Christians in Nigeria. Within the last week alone, over 40 Christians have been killed, and we have been warning that there are major attacks about to occur within the next few days.”
Islamic Fulani militias are by far the deadliest persecutors of Christians in Nigeria, according to a six-year study conducted by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) just published. The study found that the network of Fulani militias is responsible for four times more civilian deaths than the two prominent Islamic terror organizations, Boko Haram, and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) combined. Boko Haram was previously allied to Al Qaeda, and ISWAP is currently linked to ISIS.
Referring to the killings of Dachomo’s family, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “We have seen reports of the killing of nine Christians in Plateau State in Nigeria. There remains a shocking level of violence against Christians in the Middle Belt committed by Fulani Ethnic Militia.”
“The United States offers its sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” the spokesperson continued, “We unequivocally condemn this heinous act. We urge the Nigerian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and take specific steps that will improve security for Christians.”
The spokesperson added, “During meetings with Nigerian officials in Abuja July 13–15, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, and the accompanying U.S. delegation stressed the United States’ grave concern regarding the violence Christians face in Nigeria and the need for concrete action. As President Trump has made clear, the United States will continue to work with the Government of Nigeria to protect Christians and advance religious freedom in Nigeria.”
Nigeria launched PR campaign instead of responding to US concerns over insecurity
Meanwhile, Ted Cruz, a United States senator, says Nigeria’s engagement of a lobbying firm to communicate its actions on protecting Christians in Nigeria to the US government was an attempt to deflect American concerns over the West African country’s security crisis.
Nigeria hired DCI Group, a US-based public affairs and lobbying firm, in a $9 million contract last December — few months after it was designated a ‘country of particular concern’ by President Donald Trump.