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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Terrorists threatened to kill me, church members - Pastor

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Nigerian pastor claims suspected terrorists sent him and his church a death threat days after nine relatives were killed in an attack.
  • The pastor stated he handed copies of the threat letter, written in Hausa and English, to security agencies.
  • Despite the threats, the cleric expressed no fear, stating his life is in God's hands and he will continue to speak for persecuted Christians.

Regional Church of Christ in Nations leader Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo has alleged receiving a death threat from suspected terrorists just days after an attack claimed the lives of nine of his relatives. Dachomo shared on his X account that the threat letter, written in both Hausa and English, warned of an imminent attack and killing.

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 message was terrifying.

— Rev. Ezekiel DachomoDescribing the threat received from suspected terrorists.

He confirmed that copies of the terrifying letter have been handed over to security agencies. The cleric, however, stated that he remains unafraid, asserting his belief that his life is protected by God. "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?" he quoted from Psalm 118:6.

They vowed to attack me and kill me soon, just as they killed nine of my relatives. Copies of these threatening letters have already been handed over to the security operatives.

— Rev. Ezekiel DachomoDetailing the contents of the threat letter and actions taken.

Dachomo described the painful experience of burying loved ones and comforting families devastated by violence. He questioned if his advocacy for widows, orphans, and persecuted Christians had become an offense. "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?" he asked, vowing to continue his work until his last breath.

My answer is no. I am not afraid because my life is in the hands of Almighty God.

— Rev. Ezekiel DachomoResponding to questions about fear following the threats.

He maintained that while his life might be threatened, the truth cannot be silenced. "They may kill the messenger, but they cannot kill the message," Dachomo declared. He urged the international community not to ignore the suffering of victims and to demand justice for persecuted Christians in Nigeria.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?

— Rev. Ezekiel DachomoQuoting scripture to express his lack of fear.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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