Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a prominent Christian cleric in Plateau State, has renewed his calls for international attention to attacks on Christian communities after burying three members of his church killed in an attack in Gassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The burial, held on Friday, September 25, came days after Dachomo spoke out against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. According to reports, armed men attacked Gassa and the neighbouring community of Chit on September 24, killing three residents in Gassa.
Speaking beside the grave, Dachomo expressed gratitude to United States President Donald Trump for raising the issue of Christian persecution at the United Nations General Assembly.
“President Trump, thank you for advocating for us in Nigeria — the most persecuted church in the world. Thank you for advocating for us at the United Nations Assembly. I watched your address to the end, praying for you, not knowing that today some of my members will be butchered,” he said.
The cleric also lamented what he described as the Nigerian government’s failure to speak out about the killings of Christians.
“My government did not speak about the persecution of Christians, about the genocide in Nigeria,” he said, according to reports of his remarks.
Dachomo has repeatedly described the attacks affecting Christian communities in Plateau State as religious persecution and called for stronger protection for residents.
During the latest burial, he also appealed for prayers for members of the Nigerian military, while acknowledging concerns about the conduct of some security personnel.
“I am calling on all my members to support soldiers of the Nigerian Army, stand for them, though there are rotten people among them that have sold out their profession, going into bias. Pray for them that God should show them mercy,” he said.
The killings in Gassa occurred amid a wider wave of violence in Plateau State. Community leaders reported further attacks in surrounding areas in the days following the burial, although casualty figures from separate incidents varied across reports.
The Plateau State Government condemned the attacks and said security agencies were taking steps to track down the perpetrators and prevent further violence.
Dachomo’s latest appeal has again drawn attention to the plight of communities affected by recurring attacks and renewed calls for effective protection, accountability and justice for victims.