Ezekiel Dachomo, a prominent clergyman from Plateau State, has disclosed that he received refuge offers from several foreign nations following purported threats to his life from Islamist militants.
According to Dachomo, the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations in Plateau State’s Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, the offers came from Austria, Australia, and other European nations.
The cleric stated in an interview on Wednesday that the offers were made during a period when he was frequently threatened with murder.
He added that due of his vocal stance against attacks on Christians in the state, there were rumors that extremists had put a price on his life.
He claims that because he feels his place is in Nigeria, he turned down the chance to move outside despite the risk.
Dachomo clarified that fleeing the nation in search of safety would entail abandoning his church’s followers as well as other people who are in danger.
The preacher stated that he decided to stay in Nigeria in order to continue helping Christians who, in his opinion, are being persecuted in some portions of Plateau State and other regions of the country.
Dachomo added that when threats got more common, he felt more pressure.
He pointed out that in addition to coming from alleged extremists, the warnings featured oblique warnings that increased the tension.
He insisted that he had no intention of moving abroad despite his concern of the threats.
He claimed that because he feels it is his responsibility to support his community, the concept of taking asylum has never appealed to him.
The cleric clarified that leaving Nigeria would require him to distance himself from the people he has been speaking to for many years. Despite the hazards, he continued, he would rather stay with them.
Dachomo further revealed that he had received advice to accept the asylum offers for his protection from a number of people who were close to him, including friends, family, and other church officials.
He claimed that because he feels accountable to the people he serves, he did not think of quitting.
He stated that he is still dedicated to his profession and plans to keep discussing the difficulties that Christians in Plateau State and throughout Nigeria face.
He claims that he is committed to remaining in the nation and continuing to assist churchgoers and other people with comparable issues.
Dachomo maintained that he would stay in Nigeria despite the threats. He stated that he thinks it is more crucial to stand with his people than to look for refuge abroad.
“I can’t be afraid of them,” he declared. They ought to be terrified of me. I turned down offers of asylum in Australia, Austria, and other nations. I’m not going anywhere. I support them. I cannot leave my flock for the security of another nation because I am not a coward. I will stay here with my people, even if it means losing my life. I’ll keep standing up for Christians who are being persecuted in the Plateau and throughout Nigeria.
