The United States has condemned the killing of members of the family of Plateau cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, calling the attack horrific and asking Nigerian authorities to make sure those behind it face justice.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs sent condolences to the victims’ families and urged stronger action to stop more attacks on vulnerable communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“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 bureau said.
The US said it had already discussed the worsening security situation with Nigerian officials, saying urgent steps were needed to stop repeated attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
“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,” the statement added.
The bureau also repeated Washington’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to fight terrorism and violent extremism. It said Christians and other Nigerians should be free to practise their faith without fear of violence.
The statement came after the July 12 attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where nine members of Rev. Dachomo’s extended family, including a two-month-old baby, were killed.
Dachomo said the attackers, believed to be armed Fulani militias, asked for him by name before opening fire on his relatives.
The cleric, who is the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, said his family had been targeted many times because he had spoken out against the violence in Plateau State.
He said his grandmother and an uncle were killed in earlier attacks. He added that days after burying his relatives, he received a written death threat from the same group, warning that he would be their next target.
Plateau State has faced years of violence linked to farmer-herder clashes, communal tensions and attacks by armed groups, leaving thousands dead and many others displaced despite repeated security operations.
