A Plateau State-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has vowed to take the Nigerian government before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over what he described as the “systematic genocide” of Christians in the northern part of the country.
Dachomo, who serves as a regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), said he had embarked on a personal mission to document mass killings of Christians across several northern states.
According to him, the findings will be compiled into a report to be submitted to the United States government and the wider international community.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH, the cleric accused both the Nigerian government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of downplaying or outrightly denying the ongoing massacres, alleging that their silence and denial had emboldened the attackers.
“The world needs to know that what we are saying is not false. I will go to any length to prove that this government is lying. We are also planning to take Nigeria before the International Criminal Court and sue the Miyetti Allah association for their role in these atrocities,” Dachomo declared.
The Plateau-based pastor said he had been visiting several affected communities in Plateau, Benue, and other northern states, gathering testimonies, recording video evidence, and identifying mass graves.
He said his findings would form part of an international dossier detailing what he called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Dachomo, who gained attention during the mass burial of victims of a recent attack in Heipang, Plateau State, said the scale of the killings has been deliberately underreported.
“Since the Federal Government claimed there was no genocide, that statement has pushed me to intensify this work. CAN is also denying the genocide, so I’m determined to prove them wrong,” he said.
The cleric recounted his visits to several massacre sites, including Dogo Nahawa — where he said 501 people were killed in one night — and his own village, where 23 residents, including his best friend’s family, were burnt alive.
“I intend to cover all areas where Christians have been attacked. In my own village, 23 people were killed in one night. My best friend’s wife and five children were burnt alive. Just last week, seven people were killed in Jaruwa.
“In Jaruwa, worshippers were burnt alive during a church service. None survived because the terrorists surrounded the building, set it on fire with gas lamps, and trapped everyone inside.”
When asked whether he had been officially invited by the U.S. government, Dachomo declined to give details, saying, “That one is private.”
Despite reports of threats to his life, the cleric said he remained unshaken.
“I’m safe. God has sent angels to guide me, and they are in charge of my life now. Some people have hired security men to protect my family, but my life is in God’s hands. I have no fear of anyone,” he stated.
Meanwhile, several Nigerians have begun donating money to support his mission and the victims of the attacks.
On X (formerly Twitter), users have been sharing screenshots of their bank transfers to the cleric, with amounts ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦50,000.
“I called Rev. Ezekiel. We spoke at length; I thanked him immensely for standing strong in the face of adversity. He permitted me to go ahead and send my little quota in support of the ministry.”
Another user, @Imma1000, said: “I have sent the little I have. I pray our Lord Jesus Christ strengthens him to overcome this perilous time. To all those affected, may God show mercy.”
Confirming the donations, Dachomo said the church had received over ₦7 million so far, which was being used to provide financial and material support to widows, orphans, and displaced persons.
“I gave them the church account, but the people refused. They said they would not put it in the church account; they said it’s me they are helping. So far, the donation for the church is over ₦7 million,” he said.
According to him, the funds are being distributed through local committees to assist survivors, support victims receiving treatment in hospitals, and provide small grants to those whose farmlands were destroyed.
