“Don’t Pay Ransom If Fulani Gunmen Kidnap Me” — Plateau Cleric warns

A prominent clergy member in Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has urgently appealed to his family, friends and church members not to pay any ransom in the event of his abduction by suspected Fulani gunmen.

In a statement obtained on Saturday, Rev. Dachomo declared his life to be in serious jeopardy, citing his outspoken stance on persistent killings and kidnappings in his domain.

He instructed, “Don’t pay ransom if Fulani gunmen kidnap me.”

His warning comes amid an alarming trend of kidnappings in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, where communities frequently face abductions, ransom demands and mass violence.

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Rev. Dachomo, who serves as chairman of a regional Christian association in Plateau State, claims he has conducted numerous burials and memorial services for victims of communal and insurgent attacks.

He believes his advocacy and outspoken commentary on the insecurity have exposed him to risk.

By publicly instructing his church and family against paying ransom, Rev. Dachomo signals a refusal to finance the cycle of kidnapping-for-ransom — an approach he views as enabling continued violence.

His message places pressure on local authorities and security agencies to step up protection.

While the Federal Government and Plateau State authorities have periodically launched security operations, Rev. Dachomo’s statement underscores the persistent fear among civil society and religious leaders in conflict-affected areas.

Analysts say that such warnings reflect not just individual risk, but the broader failure of protection mechanisms for community figures.