For countless Christians in Nigeria, persecution isn’t a headline—it’s daily reality.
For Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, that reality became deeply personal when nine members of his own extended family were gunned down in a brutal attack that he says was meant for him.
Dachomo, a regional leader with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Nigeria’s Plateau State, says Fulani militants stormed his family’s compound on July 12, searching specifically for him.
According to Fox News Digital, witnesses said the attackers asked, “Where is the father of this house?” before opening fire. Among those killed was a 2-month-old baby.
The tragedy unfolded just weeks after President Donald Trump shared a post highlighting Dachomo’s ministry, bringing international attention to the pastor who has spent years documenting violence against Christians and comforting families devastated by repeated attacks.
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Now, Dachomo says he has become the target.
According to Fox News Digital, the pastor said he received written death threats after the massacre, with the militants allegedly promising to kill him just as they had killed members of his family.
In a statement shared on X , Dachomo questioned why he had become a marked man.
Is my crime that I speak for widows who have no voice
Is my crime that I cry for orphaned children whose parents were murdered
Is my crime that I tell the stories of persecuted Christians in Nigeria so the world will not forget them
Is my crime that I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and refuse to remain silent while innocent people are killed
If that is my crime then I will continue until my last breath
To the world
— Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo (@ezekieldachomo0) July 17, 2026
My name is Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo and today I speak not with hatred but with a heart full of pain and faith
A few days ago Fulani herdsmen sent a threatening letter to me and to members of my church
The letter was written in both Hausa and English and its… pic.twitter.com/TmwEaIi0d4
That burden has become painfully familiar.
For years, Dachomo has stood beside grieving families, leading funeral after funeral for believers killed in attacks across Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Fox News Digital reported that by the end of 2025, he had officiated more than 70 mass burials—a staggering number that points to the ongoing violence facing many Christian communities in the region.
Dachomo has publicly appealed to both President Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for help, asking leaders to confront the violence and protect innocent lives.
This story is a sobering reminder that while many believers around the world gather for worship without fear, countless Christians continue to risk everything simply for following Jesus. As the global church watches events unfold in Nigeria, Dachomo’s testimony serves as both a call for greater awareness and an urgent invitation to pray for believers who continue to stand firm in their faith despite unimaginable persecution.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
