Plateau State clergyman Ezekiel Dachomo has revealed that he declined offers of asylum from several foreign countries at the height of alleged threats to his life from Islamist extremists.
The outspoken pastor, who serves as the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, said nations including Australia and Austria, along with other European countries, offered him refuge during the tense period.
However, Dachomo explained that he chose to remain in Nigeria in order to continue advocating for persecuted Christians, particularly in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
He made the disclosure during an interview on Wednesday, stating that the asylum offers came at a time when he was allegedly receiving daily death threats, alongside what he described as indirect warnings from the presidency.
According to the cleric, leaving the country was never an option because he believes his duty is to stand with the people he leads.
“I can’t be afraid of them. They should be afraid of me. I’ve been offered asylum in Australia, Austria, and other countries, but I said no. I’m going nowhere. I stand with them,” he said.
Dachomo added that although friends, family members, and fellow religious leaders urged him to accept the offers for his safety, he has never considered abandoning his congregation and community, many of whom he says continue to face attacks from terrorists and armed bandits.
