Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, has embarked on an international Christian advocacy tour in Israel. He announced his arrival in Israel on Friday, October 2, on his Facebook account. The cleric's trip aims to highlight the attacks affecting communities in Plateau and the wider Middle Belt region of Nigeria.
During his visit, Mr. Dachomo has been using the opportunity to pray for Nigeria, its leaders, and communities affected by violence. His stated program includes engagements with Christian leaders and prayer groups from different countries, whom he hopes to mobilize attention and prayers for Nigeria. The cleric has repeatedly spoken publicly about attacks on communities in Plateau, describing some of the violence as persecution and "genocide" against Christians.
Mr. Dachomo's advocacy efforts have been focused on drawing international attention to the killings and insecurity in Plateau and other parts of Nigeria. He has sought an audience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to present what he described as the suffering of Christian communities in Nigeria. The cleric has also prayed for Israel, its people, and its leadership, including Mr. Netanyahu, his cabinet, and the Israel Defence Forces.
In a message announcing his visit, Mr. Dachomo said he was in Israel to pray for Nigeria, its leaders, and its people. He expressed his belief in miracles and that God can change what looks impossible. The cleric's advocacy would extend beyond Christian victims of violence, noting that Muslims and other Nigerians affected by insecurity also needed prayers and attention.
Mr. Dachomo referred to attacks in his community and alleged that armed men had invaded his village and killed three people in his jurisdiction. He hopes that, if granted a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, he would present the agony of Christians in Nigeria. The Israel trip comes against the backdrop of Mr. Dachomo's sustained advocacy over insecurity in Plateau State.
The cleric has been particularly vocal following attacks on communities in the state, including an attack in July in which he alleged that nine members of his extended family were killed in Riyom Local Government Area. His latest initiative moves that advocacy beyond Nigeria, with the cleric seeking to engage international Christian groups and draw greater attention to the security challenges confronting communities in Plateau and other parts of the country.
Nigeria's insecurity has affected communities across religious and ethnic lines, with terrorism, banditry, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts, and criminality among the factors cited in different parts of the country. The outcome of Mr. Dachomo's proposed engagements with Israeli officials and international Christian groups will determine the advocacy campaign's international reach.
Key points
- Rev Ezekiel Dachomo seeks an audience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to present the suffering of Christian communities in Nigeria.
- The cleric's trip aims to highlight attacks affecting communities in Plateau and the wider Middle Belt region of Nigeria.
- Mr. Dachomo's advocacy efforts extend beyond Christian victims of violence to include Muslims and other Nigerians affected by insecurity.
