By Onibiyo Segun
Plateau State, Nigeria—In recent weeks, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, has sounded an alarming warning: he claims that Fulani ethnic militias are not only killing Christians – they are also pooling money to stop them from celebrating Christmas. The allegation, voiced in a viral video circulating on social media, has deepened fears among Plateau’s Christian communities and reignited national debate over targeted violence.
A Reverend’s Dire Warning
In his address, Dachomo said that “terrorists contribute money to stop Christians from celebrating Christmas,” adding that the plan involves coordinated financial and physical pressure on Christian communities. The full video has not been released by any verified media outlet, and independent verification of the statement remains unavailable.
He framed the threat in spiritual language: “Your prayer is more than AK-47s,” he said, imploring Christians worldwide to support Plateau Christians.
Dachomo’s broader documentation of violence, destroyed churches, mass graves, repeated raids, is reflected in multiple reports about Middle Belt violence.
His appeals have reached international Christian communities. He has said he plans to file evidence of mass attacks, burials, and testimonies before the International Criminal Court (ICC), insisting: “We must not be silent. Justice will come.”
Meta Bars Dachomo Amid Global Concerns
Meta has restricted the Facebook account of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, drawing sharp criticism from international Christian groups and digital-rights advocates who say the move silences a key whistleblower on ongoing mass killings in Plateau. With no clear explanation from Meta, observers warn that muting his alerts during active attacks undermines life-saving communication and emboldens armed groups operating in the shadows.
Backlash and State Response
Senior military officials have strongly rejected his claims. Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, spokesman for Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), dismissed the viral video as “baseless” and capable of heightening ethnic tension. He added that alarmist interpretations “undermine stabilisation efforts.”
Dachomo insists his warnings come from firsthand accounts. He says militants “invited from Bauchi and other states” have been trooping into Plateau and establishing temporary camps near border communities.
Beyond his rhetoric, he has joined the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS), participating in local defence drills. “Our aim is never to kill a Fulani man. Our aim is to stop him from killing us,” he told TruthNigeria.
A Broader Pattern of Violence
TruthNigeria also documented a network that abducted up to 500 Christians, holding them on abandoned farmlands and demanding ransom.
Public analysts, including conflict researcher Dr. Chidi Akah of the Kwara Security Forum told TruthNigeria that “the Nigerian military’s inconsistent response has emboldened violent actors.”
Middle Belt affairs scholar Dr. Fred Obaje also told TruthNigeria that, “violent groups exploit ethnic tension, weak intelligence, and political patronage networks. The military must take these warnings seriously, examine them carefully, and not wave them off in the fight to defeat terrorism in Nigeria”.
The Human Toll
For Dachomo, the crisis feels deeply personal. He has presided over more than 70 mass burials, often in villages razed overnight. He has claimed that he has received death threats from “government-associated sources” and that his Facebook account was suspended during periods of heightened tension.
In October 2025, attacks in Barkin Ladi left multiple communities displaced. Dachomo said dozens of militants “trooped into Dorowa in their thousands,” calling for global pressure to prevent what he describes as a targeted war on Christians.
A Cry for the World to Listen
The Joint Task Force (JTF) urged religious and community leaders to avoid “inflammatory rhetoric” and instead promote peace.
Dr. Isa Alice, a public analysts speaking to TruthNigeria, warned that “ignoring persistent attacks, ignoring warnings from those directly affected by Fulani Ethnic Militia terrorist attacks like Rev Ezekiel Dachomo is detriment to the fight against terrorism – especially during religious seasons, risks deepening grievaces.”
While Dachomo’s “terror cash” allegation remains unverified, the violence against Christian villages is extensively documented.
Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflicts for TruthNigeria.
