Plateau Christians Genocide: Rev Dachomo Appeals to Trump Amid Fresh Bokkos Massacre.
Cleric Warns of Systematic Wipeout as 22 More Victims Buried in Bokkos.
JOS, Plateau State – The iNews Times | In a renewed and impassioned plea, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in what he describes as the Plateau Christians genocide, warning that continued delay could lead to the complete erasure of Christian communities from the state.
The outspoken cleric made the appeal following the brutal killing of 22 Christians in Kawel village, Mushere Chiefdom, Bokkos Local Government Area, during a nighttime raid on June 21, 2026. Dachomo, who presided over their mass burial, described the victims, including a fellow pastor as part of a targeted campaign against Christians in Plateau State.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
Plateau State, long regarded as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” has endured years of recurring violence, particularly in rural communities of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and other LGAs. What authorities often frame as farmer-herder clashes has, according to church leaders and survivors, evolved into something far more sinister: coordinated attacks on predominantly Christian farming settlements, resulting in mass killings, displacement, and land occupation.
Rev. Dachomo has consistently documented these incidents, conducting mass burials and amplifying the voices of grieving families. His latest outcry comes amid a pattern of attacks that have claimed thousands of lives in the Middle Belt over the past decade, with spikes in 2023, 2025, and now 2026.
Key Developments
Gunmen, widely identified by residents as Fulani militants, stormed Kawel village around midnight on June 21, firing indiscriminately into homes and even targeting a local health facility. At least 22 people were killed, including men, women, and a pastor from the Church of Christ in Nations. Many others were injured, and survivors fled into surrounding bushes as security forces reportedly arrived hours later.
Dachomo took to his X https://x.com handle on Thursday to directly address President Trump, reiterating that the violence represents a calculated effort to wipe out Christians from Plateau. The mass burial in Kawel village became a solemn platform for his message, where he stood before 22 coffins to honour the dead.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Rev. Dachomo’s words captured the profound grief and frustration felt across affected communities. In his sermon, he declared: “There is genocide of Christians in Nigeria, and that is the plain truth. That is why I keep calling on President Trump to intervene. Any further delay will see Christians completely wiped out from Plateau State.”
He added poignantly: “Today, I raise my voice for countless Christians in Nigeria who have lost loved ones, homes, and communities to violence… The world must know what is happening, and the international community cannot continue to remain silent in the face of human suffering.”
The cleric emphasised the right to self-defence while calling for justice, security, and peace rather than revenge. He questioned authorities: “Do these lives matter? Do these grieving families matter? How many more communities must endure such pain before lasting protection is provided?”
Implications
This latest tragedy underscores the deep-rooted security challenges in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and raises critical questions about the federal government’s ability or willingness to protect vulnerable populations. Economically, it disrupts farming communities that contribute significantly to food security. Socially and spiritually, it deepens divisions and trauma in a state already scarred by repeated bloodshed.
Politically, persistent claims of religious targeting fuel calls for international scrutiny, potentially straining Nigeria’s diplomatic relations while highlighting failures in local intelligence and rapid response. As The iNews Times has reported in the past, such incidents risk normalising impunity if unaddressed.
What Happens Next
With fresh security deployments announced in Bokkos, attention now turns to investigations and accountability. Church leaders and residents demand swift arrests and prosecutions. Rev. Dachomo’s appeal to the U.S. President may amplify global attention, especially given Trump’s previous stance on religious persecution. Local and international observers will be watching for concrete actions from Nigerian authorities.
Conclusion
As earth covered the graves in Kawel village, Rev. Dachomo’s tearful question lingered: How many more innocent lives must be lost before peace returns to Plateau? For The iNews Times and millions of concerned Nigerians, the answer lies in urgent, decisive intervention, both domestic and, if necessary, through principled international solidarity. The blood of the slain demands justice, protection for the living, and an end to the cycle of violence that has haunted this region for far too long. Silence is no longer an option.
