By Gideon Maxwell
November 16, 2025
In a significant move aimed at diffusing escalating tensions in Plateau State, President Bola Tinubu has deployed his senior special assistant on community engagement, Abiodun Essiet, as a peace emissary Plateau State.
Essiet engaged in talks with key stakeholders, including leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo, a vocal cleric from Plateau known for his strong stance on the ongoing violence facing Christians in the region.
Pastor Dachomo, who serves as the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, has been outspoken about what he describes as a targeted campaign of “Christian genocide” in Plateau and other northern states.
He recently threatened to move forward with a legal complaint against the Nigerian government at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for failing to protect Christians from repeated killings and attacks carried out by Fulani extremists and other armed groups.
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Dachomo alleged systemic neglect and denial from both government authorities and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), intensifying his efforts to document atrocities.
He has compiled a detailed report, including testimonies, mass burial sites, and evidence from affected communities, intending to present this to the ICC and international partners to seek justice and accountability.
During the peace mission, Essiet’s discussions with Dachomo and Miyetti Allah leaders focused on promoting dialogue, faith-based leadership’s role in peacebuilding, and reconciliation to halt further bloodshed.
A recent agreement between local community leaders involved compensation and peace pledges, signaling cautious optimism amid a volatile security environment.
The situation remains deeply sensitive as Nigeria grapples with ethnic and religious divides, with ongoing violence disrupting lives and threatening long-term stability.
Pastor Dachomo’s call for international intervention contrasts with the government’s narrative, underscoring the urgent need for credible solutions to prevent further loss of life and restore trust among communities.
This dual-track approach, peace dialogue facilitated by Tinubu’s envoy alongside legal and advocacy efforts led by religious leaders like Pastor Dachomo, highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of Nigeria’s security and human rights challenges in the Middle Belt region.
