Plateau Attack: All 9 freshly slain victims were my family members, COCIN cleric Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo laments

The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has disclosed that the nine people killed during Saturday night’s attack on Kum Community in Riyom Local Government Area were all members of his extended family.

Rev. Dachomo made the revelation on Monday while officiating at a mass burial for the victims, describing the incident as another painful chapter in a series of attacks that have claimed the lives of several of his relatives over the years.

According to him, members of his family have repeatedly been targeted since he began drawing national and international attention to the killings in Plateau State.

“We are here once again to conduct another mass burial for our people, and once again, all these victims are members of my family, my own blood. And they will say there is no genocide in Plateau State,” he said.

He added, “All these people were members of my family. Kum is my second home. When I was young, I used to come here and stay with my family. Even after I became a Christian, I used to come to Kum to pray because there is a mountain here where I observed my quiet time.

“Now look at what these attackers have done. These people were my uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. This is not the first time my family members have been killed.”

The cleric also recounted previous attacks on his family, alleging that his grandmother was killed and mutilated, while one of his uncles was also murdered.

Despite the tragedy, he said he had chosen to forgive those responsible.

According to a field report submitted by Rev. Nehemiah Mutfwang and based on an on-the-spot assessment by volunteer Barnabas Tok, the victims, all members of the James family, were identified as Celina James (38), Yohanna James (21), Janet Yohanna (18), Jenifer Yohanna (three months), Sele James (18), Melody James (16), Rito James (10), Endurance James (8), and Peace James (3).

The report stated that the only known survivor, Pam Yohanna, sustained injuries during the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The latest killings have renewed calls for improved security, justice for victims and stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities across Plateau State.

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