Christian Pastor Issues Defiant Statement After Islamic Militants Kill His Family

Nigerian Christian Pastor Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo isn’t afraid after the Islamic Fulani militia killed nine of his family members and sent him a letter saying he’s next. 

“A few days ago, Fulani herdsmen sent a threatening letter to me and to members of my church … Its message was terrifying. They vowed to attack me and kill me soon, just as they killed nine of my relatives,” Dachomo said last week. “I know what it means to stand before grieving families whose only crime was refusing to deny Jesus Christ.”

Dachomo said he had conducted over 70 mass burials of Christians who were allegedly killed by the Islamist Fulani militia by the end of last year. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom attributes the attacks to “a violent religious ideology” that stems from “growing resource limitation and competition, population growth, and poverty.” President Donald Trump highlighted Dachomo presiding over the funeral of believers this week. 

At a funeral in March, Dachomo 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?”

Pastor Dachomo told mourners, “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.” After he made the comments, he said death threats increased after being fueled by accusations that he disrespected Islam. 

Dachomo added in an interview, “Why should I be afraid while I know my Bible and the quote of Psalms 139? It said I created you fearfully.”

“They’re the ones afraid of me, not me being afraid,” he continued.

Dachomo said that while he’s been offered asylum, he’s not going anywhere because he wants to keep teaching God’s Word to the people of Nigeria.

The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa published a study earlier this month that found 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, “Within the last week alone, over 40 Christians have been killed, and we have been warning that there are major attacks about to occur within the next few days.” 

The killings continue despite the Trump administration conducting a series of air strikes in Nigeria, targeting terrorist groups. A report from Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List revealed more Christians have been killed in Nigeria than in any other country in the last year. 72% of Christians killed last year were Nigerians. On Easter Sunday, Fulani militants reportedly killed five worshippers and abducted 31 others.