A Plateau State-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has threatened to drag the Federal Government before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged killing of Christians in the northern part of the country.

Dachomo, who is the regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, disclosed that he had embarked on a personal mission to document the alleged mass killings of Christians in the country. The report, he said, would be presented to the United States government and the international community.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Dachomo accused both the government and the Christian Association of Nigeria of ignoring the alleged killings of Christians, saying their denial had worsened the situation and emboldened the attackers.

The cleric also confirmed that some Nigerians have started donating money to him and the church to help family members of the victims of various attacks.

Dachomo disclosed that the church has so far received over N7m in donations to support the ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Dachomo, who drew global attention during the mass burial of victims of a recent attack in Heipang, Plateau State, said he had been visiting several affected communities in Plateau, Benue, and other northern states to gather facts, record testimonies, and identify mass graves as part of a report that would be presented to the international community.

“The world needs to know that what we are saying is not false. I will go to any length to prove that this government is lying. We are also planning to take Nigeria before the International Criminal Court and sue the Miyetti Allah association for their role in these atrocities,” the cleric said.

According to him, hundreds of lives have been lost in attacks on Plateau villages that were never documented, and many victims remain unaccounted for.

He cited Dogo Nahawa, where he claimed over 500 people were killed in one night, and his own village, where 23 residents, including the family of his best friend, were burnt alive.

“Since the Federal Government claimed there was no genocide, that statement has pushed me to intensify this work. CAN is also denying the genocide, so I’m determined to prove them wrong.

“Right now, I’m travelling around to document cases of Christian genocide because many of the affected villages were never recorded, even though there are graves. I have been moving from one grave site to another.

“I went to Dogo Nahawa, where 501 people were killed in one night. I also visited the grave of a former senator (Gyang Dantong) who was killed by Fulani militias during a mass burial.”

“I intend to cover all areas where Christians have been attacked. In my own village, 23 people were killed in one night. My best friend’s wife and five children were burnt alive. Just last week, seven people were killed in Jaruwa.

“I’m going to Wurekum, Doruwa, Mangu, and Bokkos — all places where Christian genocide has been reported. I’ll compile all these incidents into a report and present it to the world to show that genocide is happening in Nigeria.

“In Jaruwa, worshippers were burnt alive during a church service. None survived because the terrorists surrounded the building, set it on fire with gas lamps, and trapped everyone inside,” he said.

When asked if the US had invited him, he said, “That one is private.”

Speaking on the alleged threat to his life, the cleric said, “I’m safe. God has sent angels to guide me, and they are in charge of my life now. Some people have hired security men to protect my family, but my life is in God’s hands. I have no fear of anyone.”

Meanwhile, some Nigerians have begun making donations to the cleric to support his mission.

Several donors took to X (formerly Twitter) to share screenshots of their bank transfers, with amounts ranging from N1,000 to N50,000.

Posting the cleric’s account details online, an X user, @torty_mercy, said, “I called Rev. Ezekiel. We spoke at length; I thanked him immensely for standing strong in the face of adversity. He permitted me to go ahead and send my little quota in support of the ministry. Below are his confirmed details for all who wish to support them.”

Another X user, @Imma1000, said, “I have sent the little I have. I pray today, may our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ guide and be with him, strengthen him to overcome this perilous time. To all those affected, may our God and Saviour Jesus show mercy upon them.”

Confirming the donations to Saturday PUNCH, Dachomo said the funds were being used to provide financial support to survivors and families of victims of the alleged attacks.

According to him, the church has so far received over N7m in donations to support the ongoing humanitarian efforts.

“I gave them the church account, but the people refused. They said they would not put it in the church account; they said it’s me they are helping. So far, the donation for the church is over N7m.

“The funds are being used. Sometimes, I meet widows whose husbands were killed and offer them financial help. In other cases, the victims include the wife, husband, and children, so we reach out to the surviving children and support them.

“Many people’s farms have been destroyed. We help them with whatever we can so they have something to live on. We also assist victims of attacks who are in hospitals — all without any government support. We simply form local committees to distribute the funds,” Dachomo said. (Saturday PUNCH, but headline rejigged)