NSA Ribadu Accused of Blocking US Troops from Christian Communities in Plateau

A Plateau State cleric, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, has accused Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of allegedly preventing the deployment of United States soldiers to Plateau State despite earlier calls for international intervention over persistent attacks in the area.

Dachomo, who serves as the Barkin Ladi Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), made the allegation in a video message released on Friday.

The cleric has been one of the most vocal religious leaders raising concerns about killings and violent attacks affecting communities in parts of Plateau State.

In the video, Dachomo recalled that he had earlier appealed to former United States President Donald Trump to intervene in the security crisis affecting the state.

According to him, the appeal followed repeated attacks on villages and the killing of residents in communities he described as predominantly Christian.

He claimed that when the United States later carried out military operations against insurgent groups in northern Nigeria, Plateau State was excluded from the deployment of foreign troops.

The cleric said, “When I invited Trump to Nigeria to come and help us, their blueprint was that none of the American soldiers should come to Plateau State.

“The National Security Adviser redirected the attention of the U.S. to Sokoto State and the Muslim-dominated areas in the north.”

Dachomo alleged that the United States had initially planned to assist communities facing repeated attacks but that the deployment was redirected to other areas following what he described as intervention by Nigeria’s security leadership.

He also suggested that the deployment of foreign troops to other northern states had created the impression that Muslim communities were being protected while violence continued in Christian-majority areas.

According to him, “Now the Muslims are enjoying the coming of Trump and the American soldiers. They are now saying Trump is in Nigeria to protect the Muslims.”

The cleric further alleged that killings were still occurring across several parts of northern Nigeria despite the presence of security forces.

He said, “Christians are being killed like chickens. There are killings ongoing in Christian-dominated areas in Borno, Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, and Plateau.”

Dachomo warned that communities in the Middle Belt could eventually resort to defending themselves if the attacks continue without adequate protection.

He stated, “That is their roadmap to wipe out Christians in Nigeria, to make sure that nobody stands for us. It has come to a time when we must stand up and defend ourselves.”

The outspoken cleric also claimed that the deployment of foreign troops had benefited communities that did not initially request the intervention.

“Now the Muslims in northern Nigeria are benefiting more than the Christians who called for the help,” he added.

Dachomo has repeatedly drawn national attention through his advocacy on the security crisis in Plateau State. The cleric has frequently accused armed groups of targeting Christian communities and has called for international intervention to address the violence.