BREAKING: US Reacts to Killing of Plateau Pastor’s Family, Makes Demand

• The United States has condemned the killing of nine members of the family of Plateau pastor, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, describing the attack as horrific.

The United States has condemned the killing of members of the family of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo in Plateau State, describing the attack as horrific and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

The condemnation was contained in a statement posted on X on Thursday by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, which expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged the Nigerian government to take stronger measures to prevent similar attacks.

According to the statement, Washington is deeply concerned by the continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations 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 statement read.

The Bureau of African Affairs said discussions had already been held with Nigerian officials on the security situation, stressing that urgent action is needed to prevent further bloodshed.

“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 United States also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Nigerian government in tackling terrorism and violent extremism across the country.

It stressed that Christians and all Nigerians should be able to practise their faith freely without fear of violence or persecution.

The reaction follows the killing of nine members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s extended family, including a two-month-old baby, during an overnight attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on July 12.

According to reports, the attackers, believed to be Fulani militias, allegedly asked for the pastor by name before opening fire on members of his family.

Rev. Dachomo, who serves as the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, said the attack was not the first time his family had been targeted because of his outspoken criticism of the killings in Plateau State, which he has described as genocide.

He disclosed that his grandmother and one of his uncles were also killed in previous attacks by armed extremists.

Days after burying his relatives, the pastor revealed that he received a written threat allegedly from the same militia group, warning that he would be their next target.

According to him, the attackers vowed to kill him just as they had killed nine members of his family.

Plateau State has experienced recurring violence for years, fuelled by a combination of farmer-herder clashes, communal conflicts and attacks by armed groups, resulting in the deaths and displacement of thousands of people despite increased security deployments in the region.