Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, a senior cleric in Plateau State and Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, has raised an alarm over an alleged threat to his life, claiming that a proscribed extremist group has placed a bounty on him in reaction to his continued advocacy on violence in the Middle Belt.
In a video circulated on Thursday, Rev. Dachomo said his public commentary on attacks against Christian communities has made him a target. He also alleged that individuals he described as politically connected have pressured him to stop sharing videos documenting incidents in Plateau State. According to him, his Facebook and Instagram accounts were removed, and Meta restricted his ability to post certain content, citing national security concerns.
Despite these developments, the cleric insisted that he would not stop speaking on issues of insecurity and human-rights violations. He stated that he has received credible information about a coordinated attempt to silence him but emphasised that the advocacy is larger than personal risk.
He noted that he was aware of the dangers before he began documenting violence in the region and maintained that raising awareness is necessary for justice, peace, and the protection of vulnerable communities. He added that any harm directed at him would only amplify the issues he has been highlighting.
The situation raises broader legal and governance questions about the constitutional duty of the state to protect citizens, the rights of individuals to free expression, and the mechanisms available to safeguard whistleblowers and community advocates in conflict-prone areas. Analysts say the episode underscores the need for stronger frameworks governing digital censorship, security responses, and the protection of civil society voices.
As of the time of publication, neither security agencies nor Meta has released an official response to the claims.
