Jesus People Podcast Ep 61: Christian Persecution in Nigeria—A Pastor’s Warning to Trump & America
Host: Ryan Miller
Guest: Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo
Date: March 4, 2026
Episode Overview
In this sobering and passionate episode, host Ryan Miller sits down—after midnight in an undisclosed Nigerian location—with Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, called “Nigeria’s Pastor” for his vocal stance against the ongoing genocide of Christians in Nigeria. Reverend Dachomo shares his incredible testimony, gives urgent context to the spiritual and geopolitical violence faced by Christians, and issues a heartfelt warning and call to action to both American Christians and political leaders, including Donald Trump. This episode is raw, emotional, and a spiritual call to arms for the global body of Christ.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Reverend Dachomo’s Testimony and Calling
- Early Life & Encounter with Christ
- Lost his father at age six; grew up in extreme hardship, spending time homeless, associating with criminals ([02:43]).
- Was involved in armed robbery and deeply entrenched in spiritual darkness, “operating with 14 demons,” until a dramatic, supernatural encounter with Jesus in 1985 ([03:46]).
- After his conversion, immediate deliverance from addiction and a total transformation led him into ministry and a life of evangelism ([06:55]).
- Now leads 43 local churches and serves as chairman of the Provisional Relief Council of the Church of Christ in Nation ([07:57]).
Quote:
"I didn't know that I was operating with 14 demons until Jesus encountered me that night. There was war. He came with seven angels... I took the covers of those images that were killed. I covered myself as if I'm dead. But the master Jesus said there was somebody that we have not killed. Go fish him out."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([04:08])
2. Historical and Political Breakdown Behind the Persecution
- Colonial Legacy & Religious Fractures
- British colonial rule brought Christianity but ensured political structures that marginalized Christians, particularly in the North ([09:49]).
- After independence, Islamic political actors suppressed or sidelined Christian leaders through government manipulation ([12:03]).
- Rise of Islamist Terror & Political Complicity
- Multiple, evolving groups (Maitatsine, Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani herdsmen) are used for terror, often with government backing ([23:11]).
- Allegations that Western political actors (specifically, US Democrats under Obama and Biden) supported policies that exacerbated Christian marginalization ([17:42], [28:42], [47:00]).
Quote:
"The Democrat of America, they have a hand in marginalizing us because they were behind all the sin that is taking place by removing the Christians, by installing the Muslims. At the same time giving support to the terrorists through the government of that day."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([17:42])
3. The Nature, Scale, and Strategy of the Persecution
- Systemic Violence
- Christians targeted by armed groups—attacks on churches, mass killings during worship, entire villages wiped out ([27:31]).
- “The battlefield is as far down Kaduna... fight upon fight is still existing. They are not given.” ([27:00])
- Media Silence and Cover-up
- Nigerian and international media complicit or silenced by Islamist influence ([28:21]).
Quote:
"Thousands of Christians are missing. They went to the school where Christians are dominant. They packed all the girls from the school. Even right now, as I'm talking... they have invented Chibok again... Nigerian media don't want to say it."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([27:38])
4. The Reluctance and Compromise of Christian Leaders
- Christian "Puppets"
- Many church leaders silent out of fear or material comfort, “under the table, not on top,” compromising with powers for safety or gain ([19:06], [32:23], [34:27]).
- Loss of Zeal and Solidarity
- Failure of global Church to see Nigerian Christians as “neighbors,” leading to a lack of advocacy and tangible assistance ([34:27], [36:05]).
Quote:
"But they are under the table. They are not on top of the table. It takes a Christian that is on top of the table to speak, to scream out for his people that die. A good shepherd will lay his life for his people, but a bad shepherd, even when they are killing, they don't concern as far as he didn't trust their members."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([34:27])
5. Spiritual Lessons from Persecution
- Transformation Through Suffering
- Persecution has refined Nigerian Christians’ faith, creating a church that is dependent on Jesus and unafraid of death: “The faith that I have now in Christ is more than other faith that I have in billions years” ([73:11]).
- Forgiveness and Strength
- Despite unimaginable atrocities—family members murdered, friends’ homes burned—survivors are marked by gratitude and forgiveness ([72:18]).
Quote:
"Every single Nigerian Christian I've met has said two things. I'm grateful for what the Lord's given me and I forgive my attackers."
— Ryan Miller ([72:19])
Quote:
"God always brings us to difficulties in order to reshape us. The faith that I have now in Christ is more than other faith that I have in billions years... Many Christians don't want persecution... No Christian will escape that war. Where is your brother American Christian? God is saying where is your brother in Nigeria."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([73:11], [75:00])
6. The Call to the Global Church and to Trump
- Consequences of Apathy
- Warns American and Western Christians that ignoring Nigerian Christians’ plight will bring God’s judgment: “When you fail to stand with your neighbor, God will neglect you... You always be at war” ([48:51], [60:06]).
- Cites scriptural precedent (Hosea, 2 Chronicles, Matthew 25) that not helping the suffering results in national and spiritual peril ([47:00], [59:20]).
- Specific Plea to Trump and America
- Asks Donald Trump to be like Abraham—"When Lot was under crisis, despite separation, Abraham went and helped"—and urges American Christians to act with prayer, advocacy, and material support ([80:46]).
Quote:
"Let Trump queue up from Abraham, the father of our faith. We have been wounded as Christians in Nigeria. We are under bondage. Come and redeem us as Abraham did in Nigeria."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([80:46])
Quote:
"My pain... we find it difficult to trust the military because the repented Boko Haram have been observed into Nigerian military by former chief of defense staff... Now even the life of the good soldiers is in danger. Christian soldiers’ life is in danger... insiders are passing information."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([41:32], [42:15])
7. Action Steps for Listeners
At the close, Miller and Dachomo urge listeners to:
- Pray and Fast for the Nigerian church ([78:46]).
- Give Practical Relief—financial support, aid, and essential resources via Global Christian Relief ([78:42]).
- Advocate Politically—write and call elected officials to pressure governments to help persecuted Christians ([78:42]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
"We are the wounded one. We are in pain."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([01:25]) -
"Because the danger that I see coming, that God shows me, it's better for me to die now."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([01:50], [69:26]) -
"I have to run to leave home. I was staying in the jungle, sleeping outside. I was an associate of armed robbers... I would remove a page from the Bible to mold Indian hemp and smoke."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([03:06]) -
"God just single me out because God knows in years I've been bleeding, crying... I spent 47 years with over 300 people... Seven times. In order to release the seven Spirit of God upon this nation."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([19:54], [21:24], [22:35]) -
"They surround the church. They locked the church. They were busy shooting bullets... And they set the church at blast. That fire burned everybody that was inside the church."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([24:00]) -
"They kill him. They remove his tongue... I went to the house... They broke the patner. I don't know how they make it. That night. They kept them inside and took a padlock and locked the door and set fire on the house."
— Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo ([48:49]) -
"If you are listening to this and you're inspired, let your inspiration move to transformation... Would you send a letter to your elected official?... Because we are in the same body with them."
— Ryan Miller ([78:42])
Segment Timestamps
- [00:01] – Introduction and setting; the urgency and gravity of the conversation
- [02:43] – Reverend Dachomo’s personal story and supernatural encounter with Jesus
- [09:49] – Historical roots of Christian marginalization and violence in Nigeria
- [15:24] – Modern political and religious conflict; the rise of terrorism
- [23:11] – Names and strategies of terror groups targeting Christians
- [27:31] – Scale of killings; media suppression
- [32:23] – Why many church leaders do not speak out
- [34:27] – Spiritual failure and loss of neighborliness among the global Church
- [41:32] – Military infiltration and the impossibility of government help
- [47:00] – American political complicity and consequences of failing to help Nigerian Christians
- [72:18] – Gratitude, resilience, and forgiveness among persecuted Christians
- [73:11] – Suffering as transformation; critique of Western Christianity’s comfort
- [78:42] – Practical ways to help: prayer, giving, advocacy
- [80:46] – Direct plea to Donald Trump and Christians worldwide
Final Plea & Prayer
Reverend Dachomo concludes with a heartfelt call for unity in Christ across the globe and prays for those who support the persecuted, reminding all believers of the rewards and judgment attached to loving or ignoring their suffering family ([83:29]).
This episode is a sobering wake-up call, a deep dive into both the tragedy and the supernatural resilience of Nigeria’s persecuted Christians. It urges immediate, practical action and deeper spiritual solidarity from the international body of Christ.
