A Nigerian Christian pastor is refusing to flee his homeland despite receiving direct death threats from the Islamic militant group responsible for killing nine members of his family.
Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo disclosed last week that Fulani herdsmen sent him a threatening letter warning he would be their next target. The message came after the same group allegedly killed nine of his relatives in attacks that have terrorized Christian communities across Nigeria.
“A few days ago, Fulani herdsmen sent a threatening letter to me and to members of my church,” Dachomo said. “Its message was terrifying. They vowed to attack me and kill me soon, just as they killed nine of my relatives.”
Mass Burials and Growing Violence
According to the pastor, he had conducted more than 70 mass burials for Christians allegedly killed by the Islamist Fulani militia by the end of last year. The grim task has given him an intimate understanding of the violence targeting believers in the region.
“I know what it means to stand before grieving families whose only crime was refusing to deny Jesus Christ,” Dachomo said.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has attributed the attacks to “a violent religious ideology” stemming from “growing resource limitation and competition, population growth, and poverty.” President Donald Trump drew attention to Dachomo’s work this week, highlighting footage of the pastor presiding over funerals for slain believers.
Controversial Funeral Remarks
At a funeral service in March, Dachomo made comments that he says intensified the threats against him. Addressing mourners, he said: “I respect Allah, I respect the people of Allah, but when I see dead bodies killed by the followers of Allah, what do you want me to say?”
He continued: “I challenge Allah because his followers are killing my people. I would be stupid and cowardly to kill someone because he insults Jesus; Jesus is a supernatural being. He can defend himself.”
Following those remarks, death threats reportedly increased, fueled by accusations that he had disrespected Islam.
Refusing to Leave
Despite the escalating danger and offers of asylum, Dachomo says he has no intention of abandoning his ministry. When asked about his decision to remain in Nigeria, he cited biblical scripture.
“Why should I be afraid while I know my Bible and the quote of Psalms 139? It said I created you fearfully,” the pastor said. “They’re the ones afraid of me, not me being afraid.”
Dachomo explained he wants to continue teaching scripture to the people of Nigeria rather than seek safety elsewhere.
Scale of Violence Against Christians
The violence against Nigerian Christians has reached alarming levels, according to religious freedom advocates. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa published research earlier this month finding that the Fulani militia network is responsible for four times as many civilian deaths as other Islamic terror organizations.
Judd Saul, founder of Christian nonprofit Equipping the Persecuted, told Fox News that more than 40 Christians had been killed in the preceding week alone. He warned that “major attacks” were expected to occur within days.
Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List revealed that more Christians were killed in Nigeria than in any other country over the past year. Nigerian Christians accounted for 72% of all Christians killed globally during that period.
The killings have continued despite the Trump administration conducting air strikes in Nigeria targeting terrorist groups. On Easter Sunday, Fulani militants reportedly killed five worshippers and abducted 31 others.
The ongoing violence has created what religious freedom observers describe as one of the world’s most dangerous environments for Christians, with pastors like Dachomo caught between their calling to minister and the ever-present threat of deadly violence.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/christian-pastor-issues-defiant-statement-after-islamic-militants-kill-his-family