A Plateau-based cleric and regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, Evangelist Ezekiel Dachomo, stirred attention with a viral video showing the mass burial of victims of a recent attack in Heipang community near Jos. Dachomo, in this interview with OLUFEMI ADEDIRAN, speaks on the circumstances surrounding the clip, the repeated killings in Plateau communities, government inaction, and his call for global intervention to stop what he insists is the genocide of Christians
What motivated you to make that viral video at the mass burial site?
I made the video for record-keeping so that future generations will be able to see how we were terrorised and persecuted. The video is also evidence that a Christian genocide is going on in the North.
The purpose is to help both present and future generations stand firm in Christ despite persecution and terror. It is also meant to guide them in soul-winning. If they don’t have a record that strengthens their faith, they may give up.
This is what we are facing, and we have now resorted to self-defence; otherwise, the name of Jesus will not be mentioned again in our land. I want the world to know that we are going through the worst, as Jesus said, “You will be persecuted.” So, we are keeping records of what we are passing through, just as the Bible kept records of what Christians endured.
What led to the mass burial?
The incident happened last Thursday in Heipang, Jos, Plateau State. There is an airport there, and some Muslims have been trying to take control of the place. The village has been attacked several times because of this.
On that fateful day, Fulani herdsmen invaded the village and killed 11 people. We rushed to the scene; children were butchered without conscience, yet the Nigerian government denied Christian genocide. We made the video to prove them wrong.
That same day, they kidnapped the wife of one of our reverends, and she has yet to be released. They are asking us to pay ransom—another way of plundering Christians. If you pay ransom, they may still kill your loved ones.
About five people were injured and rushed to the hospital. Also, last Saturday, they attacked a hospital and abducted two ladies who are members of our church.
Many Christians have relocated to the South-South because of these attacks. We call on Nigerians to pray for us. These killings are too many. They started from Borno, and now they are bringing mercenaries from the far North. They attack and loot our villages, taking away farm produce, and the soldiers do nothing.
If it were Christians attacking Muslims, the entire military would rise against us, invade our villages, and make mass arrests. Before you are released, you must pay a lot of money.
Last Christmas, even in one of my churches in Riyom, they attacked while members were celebrating, killing many. Others fled. The same thing happened in Daruwa, where they killed people and burnt the village. Other affected areas include Maiyanga, Barkin Ladi, Tenti, and Bokkos, where hundreds have been killed. We are tired of burying our people daily. There are no youths left to dig graves. Sometimes, we abandon corpses and flee for our lives.
How has the government reacted to the attacks?
If the government acknowledged what was happening and took action, these killings would have stopped. But instead, they deny it and protect the perpetrators. Recently, a farmer who killed a Fulani herder while defending himself was sentenced to death by the court. This young man did nothing wrong except defend himself. Does this mean the Nigerian government has already handed the country over to Islam? If we don’t denounce our faith, they kill us. If a court can sentence a Christian to death for self-defence, who else can save us?
Do you think the military is compromised?
In the past, the military helped, but now nobody helps us. Our people live in fear. They rape our children and wives before our eyes, and if you complain, you are killed. We are living from hand to mouth and waiting to die.
When did the killings start?
It started in 2001. They brought mercenaries from Central African countries—Senegal, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Libya. These are the insurgents terrorising us every day. If Muslims say they are also being killed, the question is: who is killing them? Isn’t it their fellow Muslims?
Are you not afraid of being targeted?
My life is in grave danger. Even as I speak, I am on the lookout for attacks. I no longer sleep with my eyes closed. I have been attacked before but escaped. My grandmother was killed, and her heart was removed. My uncle was also killed.
They have been threatening me everywhere—even on social media. They have vowed to kill me. Even the Nigerian Army issued a press release against me, accusing me of inciting people. But they are the ones inciting the Muslims against us by refusing to make arrests.
When they release arrested suspects, those same people come back to hunt you down. I’m taking the risk of speaking the truth.
I have received many death threats through phone calls and messages, but I’m not afraid. I will continue to speak the truth and defend my people. They even threatened to kill me during mass burials. They did the same to Senator Gyang Dantong; he was killed during a burial.
A member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, was also killed. I would rather die than continue burying my people. It is better to be in police custody than keep burying our people.
How often do the attacks happen?
The attacks are incessant—they can happen even tonight. Sometimes, I get calls in the middle of the night that another village has been attacked. We only pray to survive each night. We go to bed each night fearing we may die before morning.
Have you received any response from the US or other countries?
We have yet to get any major help, though some people sent donations for hospital bills and to support widows and children affected by the attacks. About five people are currently receiving treatment.
How is the church coping amid the attacks?
Like I said, every night we say our last prayers. We have put our trust in Jesus and have refused to deny Him, no matter the persecution or the number of people killed. Our faith is in Christ Jesus, and He comforts us through the Holy Spirit.
What message do you have for President Bola Tinubu?
Nigeria belongs to both Christians and Muslims. President Bola Tinubu must take action. He should ensure that the insurgents are arrested and prosecuted so that peace will reign.
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