‘I’m Tired Of Burying My People’: Plateau Pastor Cries Out As Four More Are Killed Near Church

Daud Olatunji

A Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, has raised the alarm over renewed killings in Plateau State, alleging that four more people have been murdered near his church.

The cleric, who has repeatedly spoken out against attacks on communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, said the latest incident occurred only days after he attended the burial of members of his congregation killed in an earlier attack.

Dachomo, in an emotional statement posted on X on Sunday, lamented what he described as the endless cycle of killings and funerals, saying he was struggling to cope with repeatedly burying members of his congregation.

“I am heartbroken again. How many more tears must I shed before the world hears our cry?” he asked.

According to him, the latest killings have plunged four additional families into mourning, further deepening the grief of communities already affected by recurring violence.

“Four more innocent people have been killed near my church. Four more families have been thrown into mourning. Four more homes have been filled with unbearable silence,” he stated.

The pastor, who described himself as a shepherd responsible for protecting, comforting and guiding his congregation, said the persistent attacks had made his pastoral responsibilities increasingly difficult.

He also expressed fears that he could become a victim of the violence, questioning whether he would survive to continue speaking for affected communities.

“And who knows whether I am next? Who can guarantee that tomorrow I will not be the one lying in a grave while my congregation gathers to mourn me? Who will stand beside my family if the next attack takes my life?” he queried.

Expressing frustration over the repeated loss of lives, Dachomo said he had become emotionally exhausted from attending funerals and witnessing the destruction of families.

“I am a shepherd. My responsibility is to protect, pray for, comfort, and lead my flock. But what happens when the shepherd is constantly forced to bury the very people he was called to care for?

“My beloved, I am tired of burying my people. I am tired of seeing innocent blood spilled. I am tired of watching children become orphans and women become widows,” he lamented.

The cleric warned that affected communities could no longer afford to remain helpless while attacks continued, insisting that residents needed urgent protection and decisive action from relevant authorities.

“Our only option left is to fight for survival,” he declared.

Dachomo further warned that continued violence could leave generations of children growing up with memories of killings, mass graves, broken families and displacement rather than the opportunity to live normal lives.

He consequently renewed his appeal to the United States Government and American citizens, urging them to intervene in the security crisis confronting vulnerable communities in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

According to him, the affected residents need concrete assistance beyond international expressions of sympathy.

“I am therefore making another desperate appeal to the United States Government and the American people. Please, hear our cry. Please, help us.

“We are not asking for sympathy alone; we are asking for meaningful intervention to protect innocent lives strengthen security, support displaced families, and bring those responsible for these killings to justice,” he said.