US to sanction Nigerian ethic militias as Rev. Dachomo said terrorists were brought to kill Christians
Amid claims that US are planning to invade Nigeria for military action, many decried alleged deteriorating persecution of Christians in the country.
Catalogues and various media accounts and NGO data insinuating macro-scale attacks on the civilians, impunity and wanton destruction of places of worship have been discovered.
“For over a decade, Islamic terror organisations have carried out mass murder, rape, kidnappings, and other atrocities targeting mostly Nigerian Christians and non-Fulani moderate Muslim populations, resulting in mass displacement and destruction of places of worship, the resolution reads.
“Prominent Christian and Muslim leaders have been kidnapped or assassinated, including priests, pastors, and imams who advocate for religious tolerance;
“Religious leaders, such as Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who testified on March 12, 2025, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the persecution and targeted killings of Christians in the Diocese of Makurdi, have faced intimidation, threats, and harassment from both extremist groups and government authorities.”
Various people who back President Trump’s proposed military action in Nigeria stated believe that it would strengthen diplomatic leverage which would push Nigerian government for accountability and protection of all citizens.
“The designation of Nigeria as a CPC will enhance diplomatic efforts to encourage the Nigerian government to take necessary actions to protect religious minorities and uphold fundamental human rights,” they said.
Howbeit, the stressed that “President Donald Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.”
They further recommended conditioning US foreign assistance on demonstrable steps by Nigeria to prevent persecution, prosecute alleged perpetrators, and care for displaced populations.
“The State Department should provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based groups to support internally displaced people in Nigeria’s middle belt states.
“The United States, through the Department of State and Department of Treasury, should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky framework and other restrictive measures, on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, including sanctions against Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and should place Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on the Entities of Particular Concern List under the International Religious Freedom Act,” the resolution read.
The resolution also implored the US to prove the purpose and total number of security and development aid to Nigeria and to aid future support in improving human-rights results.
The resolution was also forwarded to the House of Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
If it must have passed through the committee, the resolution would stand as a clear congregational signal corroborating Trump’s CPC move and could be prove to further legislative and executive actions.
On Wednesday, In the statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in Abuja while addressing the press. He stated that the US position ranged from “misrepresentation and misinformation” about Nigeria’s internal security situation.
Going by him, he said terrorism and violent crimes in the country are not aimed at any specific religious group.
“Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike.
“Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian state is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data,” Idris said.
Terrorists Were Brought To Kill Christians ─ Rev. Dachomo
Nigeria still unsettled by the threat of military invasion of the United States Army, vocal Plateau State cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has alleged that since Nigeria is designated as a ‘Country of Special Concern’ by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, many politicians have brought in Fulani terrorists to kill Christians.
On Wednesday, the awareness was raised in visual-audio message posted on Social Media. Dachomo happens to be the Regional Chairman for the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau States,
He revealed that he had intelligence that thousands of terrorist groups, especially Fulani ethic militias from Bauchi and other states, have stationed their camps along Plateau States border and inching into other communities through various degrees of violent attacks and land-grabbing crusades.
He also said that the terrorists were aware of President Trump’s invasion plan and are now moving in large scale to kill as many people in the state as possible prior to the arrival of the US troops.
“Already, they have declared war on Plateau State. As I’m talking to you, yesterday we buried one corpse in the night and they killed two people again,” he said in the video.
Continuing, he said: “This morning, I am telling you, come and see Fulani terrorists invited from Bauchi and other places being transported into Plateau. I was able to get a report from an insider and what the man told me has come to be the truth.
“This morning, as I’m talking to you, they are trooping into Dorowa, a community that shares borders with parts of Bauchi State, especially the Fulani-dominated areas of Bauchi.
“They are trooping into Dorowa in their thousands. They are currently camping behind Dorowa village in Nyarwei village in Faan district. Now what do you want us to do? We are going to defend ourselves to the death.
“So I’m making this video to tell the whole world, please pray for us Christians. Your prayer is more than AK-47s, it’s more than rocket launchers. It will destroy and destabilize even the coven in the dark world and that is what I’m doing in the office right now.”
This was not the first time Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo alerted the public about terrorists’ encroachment into the state. Also in October, he raised an alarm about a possible Fulani terrorist attacks in the Dorowa area of Barkin Ladi.
In the viral video, the reverend also alleged that he had an inside source within the Fulani terrorists, and he is also told that the terrorists are now looking for a way to penetrate through Nyerwai and to attacks some communities synchronisingly.
But in response by the security force, the alarm was throw-off and he was called a liar and an alarmist who was utilising emotionally charged and divisive narrative to incite religious sentiments and garner favour from the people of Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Defence Headquarters, said: “The Reverend’s accusations extend to claims of a Fulani leader influencing security forces to shield Fulani suspects from arrest. He also criticizes Christian authorities for alleged inaction, suggesting a link to ISWAP.
“Dachomo’s statements culminate in a call to arms for local youths to defend themselves and a plea for prayer, painting a dire picture of the security situation in the region.
“Accordingly, the viral video by Rev. Dachomo alleging mobilisation of Fulani terrorists through Nyerwai in Barkin Ladi LGA and accusing security agencies of collusion is a clear case of propaganda intended to inflame public sentiment and erode confidence in security agencies.
“Rev. Dachomo’s accusation is baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary tension. The JTF OPEP condemns the misleading narratives and hereby warns the propagator to desist from causing panic and discord among the peace-loving people of the state to abstain from such acts or face the full wrath of the law.”
But despite the heat, Dachomo’s alert eventually became true as the same night he raised the alarm, three communities in Barkin Ladi were attacked at the same time with more than seventeen people murdered.
