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Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo Survives Fulani Militia Kill Plot
Nigerian Pastor Faces Death Threats After Nine Family Members Killed in Attack
What Happened: The Basics
Imagine a pastor who speaks up for people being hurt because of their faith. Now imagine that same pastor losing nine members of his own family in a single attack — and then receiving a letter saying he’s next.
That’s exactly what happened to Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a Christian leader in Nigeria. Here’s the simple breakdown:
Important Point: This isn’t just about one pastor. It’s part of a much larger pattern of violence against Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region that has been going on for years.
Who Is Reverend Dachomo?
- Role: Regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations
- Location: Nigeria’s Middle Belt (Plateau State)
- Known for: Speaking out against the killing of Christians by radicalized Fulani militia groups
- Recent tragedy: Nine extended family members killed on July 12, 2025, including a two-month-old baby
The Attack on His Family
On July 12, 2025, attackers stormed the family compound in Riyom district:
- They were looking for the pastor — witnesses say they asked, "Where is the father of this house?"
- They delivered a threat — "Today, you will learn a hard lesson"
- They opened fire indiscriminately — killing nine family members
- A two-month-old baby was among the victims
The Death Threat
Days after the funeral, Reverend Dachomo received a threatening letter from Fulani herdsmen that said:
"They vowed to attack me and kill me soon, just as they killed nine of my relatives."
The pastor posted on social media (X): "Now they say I will be next. But I ask the world, what is my crime? Is my crime that I tell the stories of persecuted Christians in Nigeria, so the world will not forget them?"
Why Is He Targeted?
According to Judd Saul, founder of Equipping the Persecuted (a nonprofit working to end religious persecution in Nigeria):
"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."
In simple terms: He speaks the truth about what’s happening, and that makes him dangerous to the attackers.
The Bigger Picture: Shocking Statistics
A six-year study by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) — just published — reveals horrifying numbers:
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 79,323 people killed | From 2019 to September 2025 in terror-related violence |
| 36 people per day | Average daily death toll |
| 44% of deaths | Caused by Islamic Fulani militias |
| 12% combined | Caused by Boko Haram + ISWAP (two well-known terror groups) |
Important Point: Fulani militias are responsible for nearly 4 times more civilian deaths than Boko Haram and ISWAP combined. Yet they get far less international attention.
What the U.S. Government Is Saying
The U.S. State Department has strongly condemned the violence:
- Called it "a shocking level of violence against Christians"
- Offered "sincerest condolences" to Dachomo’s family
- "Unequivocally condemn[s] this heinous act"
- Urged Nigerian authorities to:
- Hold perpetrators accountable
- Take specific steps to improve security for Christians
- Assistant Secretary Frank Garcia met with Nigerian officials in Abuja (July 13–15) to stress "grave concern"
President Trump has also highlighted the pastor’s work on social media, showing him presiding over mass funerals.
What the Trump Administration Has Done (And Hasn’t Done)
| Action | Target | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Air strikes | Boko Haram & ISWAP | Northern Nigeria |
| No reported strikes | Fulani militia groups | Middle Belt (where Dachomo lives) |
Judd Saul’s request: "We want the Trump Administration to put laser focus on the Middle Belt of Nigeria, and the Fulani ethnic militia."
The Pastor’s Plea
Reverend Dachomo has directly appealed to both presidents:
To President Trump:
"We ask President Trump to stop the Fulani terrorists from killing our people in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and surrounding regions. These attacks against Christian communities have been going on for years and must be stopped. We need the United States to stand with us."
To Nigerian President Tinubu:
"Tinubu, I am begging you in the name of Jesus, stop Islamic agenda. Muslim(s), they want to finish us. Christian(s) wake up, open your eyes."
His faith remains unshaken:
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me? They may threaten my life, but they cannot silence the truth. They may kill the messenger, but they cannot kill the message."
Nigeria’s Government Response
The Nigerian Ministry of Information (through spokesperson Rabiu Ibrahim):
- Offered condolences to Reverend Dachomo
- Rejected the idea that this is a religious conflict
- Said such narratives "oversimplify a complicated situation"
- Claimed it risks "serving the interests of criminal groups"
- Stated the incident is "being treated with the seriousness that every loss of Nigerian life deserves"
- Insisted allegations about perpetrators "must be subjected to proper investigation"
- Promised security agencies are "committed to thoroughly investigating all attacks"
Summary
Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo is a Nigerian pastor who has buried over 70 Christians in mass funerals by the end of 2025. In July 2025, nine of his own family members were slaughtered — including a baby — by attackers believed to be Fulani militia. Now he has a death threat against his life.
The data is clear: A major study shows Fulani militias cause 44% of all terror-related deaths in Nigeria — far more than Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates combined. Yet U.S. military action has only targeted the northern groups, not the Fulani militias operating in the Middle Belt.
The pastor’s message is simple: Tell the world what’s happening. Don’t let us be forgotten. And governments — both Nigerian and American — need to take real action to stop the killing.
FAQ
Who are the Fulani militia?
The Fulani are a large ethnic group across West Africa, traditionally cattle herders. Some Fulani have formed armed militia groups that have attacked farming communities — many of which are Christian. Experts say these attacks are often motivated by a mix of land competition, ethnic tension, and religious ideology.
Why hasn’t the U.S. targeted Fulani militias with air strikes?
The Trump administration has conducted strikes against Boko Haram and ISWAP in northern Nigeria because they are officially designated terrorist groups with ties to Al Qaeda and ISIS. Fulani militias operate differently — they’re more decentralized, not officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization, and the violence is often framed as "farmer-herder clashes" rather than terrorism.
Is this really about religion?
The Nigerian government says it’s a complex mix of land, resources, ethnicity, and crime — not just religion. But the ORFA study, the U.S. State Department, and Christian leaders on the ground all say Christians are disproportionately targeted, and attackers often shout religious slogans. The pastor says: "Their only crime was refusing to deny Jesus Christ."
What can ordinary people do?
- Share the story — awareness creates pressure
- Contact elected officials — ask them to push for action on Nigeria
- Support organizations like Equipping the Persecuted or Christian Solidarity International that document attacks and help survivors
- Pray or advocate — whichever fits your beliefs
Has anyone been arrested for the attack on Dachomo’s family?
As of this report, no arrests have been publicly announced. The Nigerian government says investigations are ongoing, but critics say past attacks have rarely led to prosecutions — especially when Fulani militias are involved.
Article based on reporting by Paul Tilsley, Fox News Digital, from Johannesburg, South Africa.
