US condemns killing of Plateau cleric’s family members

The United States has issued a strong condemnation of the "horrific" killing of family members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo in Nigeria's Plateau State. The State Department's Africa Bureau expressed condolences and urged Nigerian authorities to swiftly hold those responsible accountable and bolster security measures to prevent future attacks.

In a statement posted on X, the US Bureau of African Affairs highlighted the "continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt" as deeply alarming. The bureau confirmed discussions with Nigerian officials regarding the matter and stressed the urgent need for action to prevent recurrences.

"As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts like those yesterday," the statement read. "The perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities."

“

The United States strongly condemns the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria. The continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt is deeply alarming.

The attack on July 12 resulted in the deaths of nine members of Rev. Dachomo's extended family, including a two-month-old baby, in the Kum community of Riyom Local Government Area. Rev. Dachomo, a regional leader for the Church of Christ in Nations, stated that his family has been targeted previously due to his activism against what he describes as genocide in the state. He reported receiving written threats from the same militia group vowing to kill him after they killed his relatives.

Plateau State has experienced persistent intercommunal violence, often linked to farmer-herder disputes and attacks by armed groups, leading to thousands of deaths and displacements despite significant security deployments.

“

As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts like those yesterday. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities.