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, describing the trip as his first international Christian advocacy tour.
The cleric said he intends to use the visit to highlight attacks affecting communities in Plateau and the wider Middle Belt, while also seeking an audience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is also expected to engage Christian leaders and prayer groups from different countries as part of efforts to mobilise attention and prayers for Nigeria.
In a message announcing his arrival, Dachomo said his mission was not only focused on advocacy but also on praying 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.
He said he had also prayed for Israel, its people and leadership, including Netanyahu, his cabinet and the Israel Defence Forces. He further mentioned President Bola Tinubu, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other African leaders in his prayers.
Dachomo stressed that his advocacy would extend beyond Christians affected by violence, saying Muslims and other Nigerians facing 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.
The cleric also referred to attacks in his community, alleging that armed men invaded his village and killed three people within his jurisdiction.
According to him, one of his major objectives in Israel is to secure a one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu, during which he hopes to 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.
Dachomo has been vocal about insecurity in Plateau State and has described some of the attacks as persecution and “genocide” against Christians. The publication notes that such descriptions are his characterisation of the violence and are not presented as an established finding.
His latest trip follows sustained advocacy over attacks on communities in Plateau, including a July attack in which he alleged that nine members of his extended family were killed in Riyom Local Government Area.
