Plateau Cleric Travels To Israel, Seeks Meeting With Netanyahu Over Killings
By Sabiu Abdullahi
Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, has travelled to Israel as part of efforts to draw international attention to killings and insecurity affecting communities in Plateau and other parts of Nigeria.
Dachomo announced his arrival in Israel on Friday, October 2, through his Facebook account, describing the trip as his first international Christian advocacy tour.
The cleric said he plans to use the visit to raise concerns over attacks in Plateau and the wider Middle Belt while seeking an audience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He also said he intends to engage Christian leaders and prayer groups from different countries to mobilise greater international attention and prayers for Nigeria.
Dachomo has been vocal about attacks on communities in Plateau State and has described some of the violence as persecution and “genocide” against Christians.
In a message announcing his arrival, the cleric said he was in Israel to pray for Nigeria, its leaders and citizens.
“Today, I am in Israel praying for Nigeria, our leaders, and our people. I believe in miracles, and I believe God can change what looks impossible,” he said.
In an accompanying video, Dachomo said he also prayed for Israel, its people and its leadership, including Netanyahu, his cabinet and the Israel Defence Forces.
He said his prayers also covered President Bola Tinubu, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other African leaders.
The cleric stressed that his advocacy was not limited to Christian victims, saying Muslims and other Nigerians affected by insecurity also deserved attention.
“I am coming to stand for Nigeria and to pray for our nation: for Muslims being killed in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina; for Christians; for my Biafran brothers,” he said.
Dachomo also spoke about attacks in his community, alleging that armed men invaded his village and killed three people within his jurisdiction.
He expressed hope that he would be able to meet Netanyahu personally and present what he described as the suffering of Christian communities in Nigeria.
“By God’s grace, if we meet one-on-one in Israel, I will share with him the agony of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.
The Israel trip follows Dachomo’s sustained advocacy over insecurity in Plateau State, particularly after attacks on communities in the state.
He had previously alleged that nine members of his extended family were killed during an attack in Riyom Local Government Area in July.
His latest initiative takes his advocacy beyond Nigeria, with the cleric seeking to engage international Christian groups and draw greater attention to security challenges affecting communities in Plateau and other parts of the country.
Nigeria has continued to face insecurity involving terrorism, banditry, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts and criminal activities across different regions.
Claims about the identities and motives of perpetrators, as well as the religious dimensions of individual attacks, require independent verification.
Dachomo’s Israel visit is therefore aimed at expanding his campaign for international attention to the security situation in Plateau and other affected communities.