By Passman Akpos
A growing wave of reactions has continued to trail the reported shutdown of the social media accounts of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, a Plateau-born cleric whose outspoken activism has made him a prominent voice in Nigeria’s religious and human-rights space.
The development gained global attention after American attorney Mike Arnold revealed that he had a lengthy conversation with the embattled cleric, assuring supporters that Dachomo “is doing well and at peace, knowing he is in the centre of God’s will.”
“I offered my sincerest gratitude for his fearlessly shining the light—a good and faithful servant of the Lord,” Arnold said. He added that his media platform would remain available to the pastor, whose online accounts were reportedly removed. “We look forward to meeting in person in Nigeria,” he said.
Online supporters reacted passionately, calling Rev. Dachomo “a living saint,” “fearless,” “selfless,” and “a true shepherd who loves humanity more than material wealth.” Some referenced past accounts of the cleric selling personal property to assist people in medical emergencies—claims widely shared by followers on social media.
One commenter wrote, “They only shut down a channel. They can’t shut his voice.” Another added, “He will become more famous than all the business pastors protecting their Sunday meal tickets by keeping quiet.”
Claims of Threats and Calls for Asylum
Heightened concerns were also raised about the cleric’s safety, with several supporters urging the United States to consider granting him asylum.
“If there’s any way you can monitor Rev. Dachomo closely… better still, grant him asylum,” one supporter pleaded, alleging that his life “is under serious threat.” None of these claims have been independently verified.
Others issued dramatic appeals for U.S. intervention in Nigeria’s security challenges, urging former President Donald Trump and American forces to “come to the aid” of communities facing violent attacks.@The Social Media Controversy
The controversy escalated after a supporter, Isaac Show, published a detailed account of his conversation with the cleric, stating that Rev. Dachomo’s Facebook and other social media accounts were deleted after a warning that his content “jeopardises national security.”
Show expressed shock at receiving a direct call from the cleric—something he said rarely happens—as Dachomo explained that his pages were removed shortly after receiving the notice.
“We’re not going to get updates directly from his social media handles anymore,” Show lamented, accusing authorities and platform managers of selectively silencing Christian activists while leaving other controversial figures online.
Show drew comparisons with Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, whose online presence remains intact despite frequent public criticism of his engagements with armed groups.“A terrorist sympathiser is walking freely… yet Rev. Dachomo’s account is deleted,” he wrote—an assertion reflecting the views of some online commentators but not supported by any official findings.
He added that his own Facebook page had been “shadow-banned,” claiming reduced visibility and urging supporters to manually check his updates.
“This is the price we pay for following Jesus Christ and speaking the truth,” he wrote.
Government and Facebook Silent
As of the time of filing this report, Facebook has issued no official comment regarding the alleged deletion of Dachomo’s accounts.The Nigerian government has also not responded to any of the allegations circulating online.
A Wider Debate on Faith, Security, and Free Speech
The development has ignited renewed debate across Nigeria about freedom of expression, the role of religious voices in conflict reporting, and the growing tension between digital platforms and outspoken activists.
While supporters hail Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo as a courageous defender of persecuted communities, critics argue that unverified claims circulating online could further inflame Nigeria’s already sensitive ethno-religious divisions.
For now, the cleric remains offline—but his influence, judging by the emotional outpouring across social media, appears far from diminished.
