Alex Barbir, a United States-based missionary and founder of Building Zion, has denounced the recent attacks in Plateau State, alleging that terrorists killed nine relatives of the Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo.
Barbir made the allegation on Friday in a post on X, where he also criticised what he described as the failure of the international community and the global Church to respond to the violence targeting Christian communities in Nigeria.
“This is not fiction. A Nigerian pastor, a brother of mine, has nine members of his family hunted and slaughtered by Fulani terrorists,” he wrote.
He added, “These are the realities our Nigerian brothers and sisters are facing alone. The church is absent.
International community is absent. They are being hunted and slaughtered like animals and we in the West are simply watching.”
Speaking further, Barbir expressed frustration over the recurring attacks, saying he would no longer remain silent.
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“I am tired. I am sick of it. I am beyond burned. Who will be the one to stand at such a time as this? I refuse to be silent, I refuse to watch,” he stated.
The missionary said Building Zion has been working to restore communities devastated by terrorist attacks through reconstruction efforts.
“At Building Zion, we are rebuilding communities ravished by terrorists, restoring hope and life. In fact, we have already rebuilt communities in Reverend Ezekiel’s community.”
The comments followed earlier reports in which Rev. Dachomo alleged that suspected terrorists sent him and members of his church a threatening letter days after nine of his relatives were killed during an attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the cleric, the letter, written in both Hausa and English, warned that he would soon be attacked and killed. He added that copies of the letter had been submitted to security agencies.
Journalists had also reported that suspected gunmen attacked the two communities on the night of July 11, killing at least nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old infant.
Residents said the assailants invaded the communities around 11:30 p.m., opened fire indiscriminately and killed nine members of one family, while the village head suffered critical injuries.
Although Rev. Dachomo claimed the victims were his relatives, journalists said they were unable to independently verify the allegation.