The United States has condemned the killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State.
The State Department’s Africa Bureau described the attack as horrific and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the US Bureau of African Affairs said Washington expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged Nigerian authorities to take stronger measures to prevent further attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
“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 extended its condolences to the victims’ families and all those affected, and said discussions had already been held with Nigerian officials on the matter.
It insisted urgent action was needed to prevent a repeat of such attacks.
“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 said Washington remained committed to working with the Nigerian government to tackle terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
It added that Christians and other Nigerians must be able to practise their faith without fear.
Nine members of Dachomo’s extended family, including a two-month-old baby, were massacred in an overnight attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on July 12.
The gunmen, linked to Fulani militias, had asked for the pastor by name before opening fire on his relatives.
Dachomo, the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, said it was not the first time his family had been targeted over his activism against what he has called a genocide in the state.
He recounted that his grandmother and an uncle had also been killed by extremists in previous attacks.
Days after burying his relatives, Dachomo disclosed that the same militia had sent him a written threat, warning that he would be next.
He said the herdsmen vowed to kill him just as they had killed nine of his relatives.
Plateau State, has for years witnessed recurring bloodletting driven by a mix of farmer-herder disputes, communal tensions and attacks by armed groups, with thousands killed and displaced despite increased security deployments in the region.
