In a renewed call for community vigilance, the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has urged Christian youths in crisis-prone areas to take steps to defend themselves against possible attacks.
Naijaonpoint reports that Dachomo’s message comes as residents continue to recall the December 2023 massacre, where over 200 people were killed in coordinated assaults across 17 rural communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs between December 23 and 25 by armed men suspected to be Fulani militias.
Daily Post report on Tuesday, claimed Dachomo, in a new video, declared that self-defence had become necessary due to what he described as the failure of the government and security agencies to protect vulnerable communities.
“All youths, this is a command, not advice. I’m commanding you to wake up and defend the weak old people, women who are pregnant, defend the widows, and stand with their blood to defend the land,” the Cleric reportedly said.
The outspoken cleric stressed that his call followed repeated unheeded warnings, including a recent alert issued two weeks earlier, in which he claimed to have credible information about planned attacks on Christian communities during the Christmas season.
Dachomo reiterated his position that the violence in Plateau State amounted to what he has consistently referred to as an “ongoing Christian genocide” and a campaign of land occupation. He said many innocent people, including members of his own congregation, had been killed in the unrest.
According to him, youths in rural areas, especially in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, and Mangu LGAs, must be ready to defend their communities in the absence of adequate state protection.
The cleric further urged residents to combine prayers with practical measures by organising vigilante structures and ensuring round-the-clock community security.
“Yes, praying against attacks is good, but beyond that, there should be practical involvement in self-defense, even joining a local civilian-watch organization,” he added.
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