US Condemns Killing of Pastor Dachomo’s Family Members in Plateau, Demands Justice

US Condemns Killing of Pastor Dachomos Family Members in Plateau

US Condemns Killing of Pastor Dachomo’s Family Members in Plateau, Demands Justice

The United States government has strongly condemned the killing of nine members of the family of Plateau-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, describing the attack as “horrific” and a disturbing reminder of the persistent violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

In a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs on Thursday, Washington expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and urged the Nigerian government to bring those responsible for the killings to justice while taking urgent steps to improve security in affected 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 statement said. The U.S. government added, “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and all those affected. 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.” A State Department spokesperson, in a separate statement to Fox News Digital, described the violence as “a shocking level of violence against Christians in the Middle Belt committed by Fulani ethnic militia.”

The condemnation follows the killing of nine members of Rev. Dachomo’s extended family by suspected gunmen in Kum village, Rim District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on the night of July 11, 2026. According to survivors, the attackers stormed the family compound at about 11:30 p.m. and specifically demanded to know the whereabouts of the cleric, who is popularly known as “Dara,” a Berom title meaning “father.” The assailants reportedly told members of the household, “today you will learn a hard lesson,” before opening fire. The victims, all members of the James family, were identified as Celina James (38), Yohanna James (21), Janet Yohanna (18), three-month-old Jenifer Yohanna, Sele James (18), Melody James (16), Rito James (10), Endurance James (8), and Peace James (3). The only known survivor, Pam Yohanna, sustained injuries and was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

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Rev. Dachomo, the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, disclosed during a mass burial for the victims that this was not the first time members of his family had been targeted and killed by Islamist extremists. He recalled that his own grandmother was killed with her heart cut out by attackers, while one of his uncles was also butchered with his tongue removed. According to Dachomo, the attacks against his relatives became more frequent after he began speaking publicly about what he described as the ongoing genocide in Plateau State, insisting that he had taken it upon himself to draw global attention to the violence affecting communities in the region. “We are here once again to conduct another mass burial for our people, and once again, all these victims are members of my family, my own blood. And they will say there is no genocide in Plateau State,” he lamented. The cleric also revealed that he had received a threatening letter from the attackers, written in both Hausa and English, warning that he would soon be attacked and killed. He said copies of the letter had been handed over to security agencies. Despite the repeated loss of loved ones, Dachomo said he had chosen the path of forgiveness, rooted in his Christian faith. “Yes, Fulani killers, I have forgiven you for this murder of my family members,” he stated.

The US government’s condemnation comes amid growing scrutiny from American lawmakers over Nigeria’s response to religious violence. US Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian officials of responding to the persecution of Christians by launching a public relations campaign instead of addressing the underlying security and religious freedom issues. “Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” Cruz wrote on X. He alleged that rather than addressing concerns raised by the United States, Nigerian authorities chose to engage in a PR campaign, adding that he had been pushing a bill to sanction Nigerian officials responsible for such policies. The criticism follows disclosures that the Federal Government retained a US lobbying firm under a reported $9 million contract to strengthen engagement with US policymakers over allegations of attacks on Christian communities. According to documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, the firm was engaged through Aster Legal on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser. Meanwhile, a US-based missionary and founder of Building Zion, Alex Barbir, also condemned the killings, alleging that nine relatives of Dachomo were “hunted and slaughtered” by terrorists. “These are the realities our Nigerian brothers and sisters are facing alone. The church is absent. International community is absent. They are being hunted and slaughtered like animals and we in the West are simply watching,” Barbir wrote on X. Authorities have yet to announce any arrests in connection with the killings in Kum village.