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‘How Satan  controlled my life without me even knowing’

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In a nation grappling with complex security challenges, deep religious sensitivities and growing calls for justice, the voice of the church continues to resonate across communities. For Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, a cleric with the Church of Christ in Nations, the story is both deeply personal and profoundly national.
In his recent interview with Ryan Miller, which was monitored by The Nation, Dachomo recalled his turbulent past marked by crime and addiction to a life of faith, leadership and advocacy, a journey which reflects a dramatic transformation. Yet, beyond his personal testimony lies a broader narrative—one that speaks to the struggles of many communities, particularly in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
Dachomo’s early years were marked by hardship and instability. Losing his father at the age of six, he drifted through life without direction, eventually falling into crime and substance abuse.
​“I lost my mother at the age of six and began living recklessly. I was sleeping on the streets and was an associate of a group of robbers. I lived without God, smoking and drinking heavily. I even remember removing pages of the Bible to wrap Indian hemp. Satan was controlling my life without me even knowing it.”
However, in 1985, he experienced what he described as a life-changing spiritual encounter.
“That moment changed everything. I could no longer go back to my old ways. I turned my life to Christ and began a new journey,” he said.
Despite initial skepticism from those around him, Dachomo said he found acceptance within the church and gradually grew into ministry, focusing on evangelism and youth outreach. Over the years, he rose to leadership, overseeing multiple congregations.
Beyond his personal transformation, Rev. Dachomo has become an outspoken voice on the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in regions such as Plateau State and Southern Kaduna.
According to him, the challenges facing Christian communities are longstanding and deeply rooted.
“This did not start today. There are historical tensions that go back decades. Many communities have faced repeated violence, displacement and marginalisation,” he said.
He described a pattern of attacks that have disrupted lives and livelihoods, forcing many to flee ancestral homes.
Complex web of violence
Dachomo pointed to the activities of multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as other factions operating across northern Nigeria.
“There are different groups, and sometimes they even fight among themselves. But ordinary people are the ones suffering the consequences,” he explained.
He noted that the impact is particularly severe in rural communities, where access to security is limited, and attacks often go unreported.
While official figures vary, Rev. Dachomo believes the scale of violence is significantly underreported. “Thousands have been killed, and many more are missing. What you hear publicly is only a fraction,” he said.
He also raised concerns about ongoing abductions and the lack of consistent media coverage. “There are incidents happening even now that many people do not hear about,” he added.
The cleric also expressed concern over what he described as systemic challenges within governance and national institutions.
“Sometimes, it feels like the truth is not fully told. There are issues around representation and trust that need to be addressed,” he said.
He called for greater transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in national systems, particularly within security structures.
Personal loss and pain
In an emotional account, Rev. Dachomo shared his own experiences of loss.
“My grandmother was killed. My uncle, too. My friend’s entire family was burned in their home,” he said.
He described visiting affected communities and witnessing the aftermath of attacks, scenes he said remain deeply etched in his memory. “These are experiences you carry with you for life,” he added.
Despite these painful experiences, Dachomo emphasised the importance of faith and forgiveness.
In one instance, he recounted sheltering individuals from another faith during a crisis. “They came to me for safety, and I protected them. That is what my faith teaches,” he said.
He stressed that the situation should not be reduced to a simplistic narrative of religion alone. “There are good and bad people in every group. What we need is understanding and humanity,” he noted.
Call for unity and global attention
Dachomo urged both Nigerians and the international community to pay closer attention to the situation and support efforts toward peace and rebuilding. “We need unity, justice and sincere leadership. Violence will not solve our problems,” he said.
He also called for humanitarian support for displaced persons and communities seeking to rebuild their lives. “Many people have lost everything. They need help to start again,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Dachomo remains hopeful about Nigeria’s future. “No matter how difficult things are, I believe change is possible. Nigeria can still find peace if we commit to truth and fairness,” he said.
Even in the face of personal risk, he insists on standing firm. “My faith gives me strength. I will continue to speak and stand for what is right,” he declared.
For him, the message is clear: “We have not lost our faith. What we ask is simple—do not ignore us.”
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Igbokoda crash: Olugbo mourns victims, consoles Tinubu, Air Force

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Olugbo

Igbokoda crash: Olugbo mourns victims, consoles Tinubu, Air Forc

The Olugbo of Ugboland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, has condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the Air Force, and the families of those who lost their loved ones to the recent Nigerian Air Force (ANAF) ATR-42 crash.

Speaking during an assessment visit to the crash site, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohuagwu, confirmed that there were no survivors from the impact.

“Officers of the State Marine Police, in active collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and local volunteers, have been working tirelessly in the swampy conditions to recover the remains of the victims and salvage the aircraft wreckage,” CP Ohuagwu stated.

Reacting to the disaster, Oba Akinruntan expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy occurring within his domain.

The revered monarch, through his spokesperson, Dr Ademibo Akingboye, extended his heartfelt condolences to the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Federal Government and the grieving families of the fallen heroes.

Oba Akinruntan prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed officers and urged the nation to rally around bereaved families during this painful period.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the tragic loss of military personnel, declaring three days of national mourning in honour of the deceased. The President has also ordered an immediate, full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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Accident: Normalcy returns to Lagos roads as LASEMA rescues hit-and-run victim

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on Wednesday restored normalcy to Lagos roads after two separate accidents, one involving a teenager.
In a press statement signed by the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the first incident occurred at 5:10 am opposite the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Onipanu, inward Fadeyi, Lagos.
The agency swiftly deployed its team to the scene.
“Upon arrival, we discovered a road crash involving a HOWO truck with registration number T-36016LA and a black Toyota Camry with registration number FST-970KS, ” Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed.
A preliminary investigation revealed that reckless driving and overspeeding by the truck driver were responsible for the accident.
It was gathered that the Cobra Team of LASEMA, working collaboratively with officers of the Nigeria Police Force and LASTMA officials, promptly diverted traffic to forestall secondary crashes while undertaking recovery operations.
No life was lost. The affected Camry was evacuated and towed with the Agency’s light tow truck to Onipanu Police Station, while the truck was also driven to the station.
In the second incident recorded at 4:30 pm along the Onipanu BRT corridor inward Fadeyi, the Cobra Team responded within two minutes, arriving at 4:32 pm to find a teenage boy who had been hit by a vehicle while crossing the expressway and was in urgent need of medical attention, having sustained head and leg injuries in a hit-and-run.
The PS disclosed that the LASEMA team provided immediate assistance and ensured the swift transportation of the victim to the Trauma Centre for definitive medical care.
“Government reiterates its appeal to motorists to desist from reckless driving and overspeeding and to obey all traffic rules, while pedestrians are strongly advised to make use of provided pedestrian bridges and designated crossing points to avoid preventable tragedies.
“The protection of lives and property remains the top priority of the administration, and the state will continue to strengthen its emergency response architecture for the benefit of all Lagosians, ‘ Oke-Osanyintolu concluded.

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LASEMA responds to multiple emergencies

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) successfully responded to a series of emergencies between Friday, September 25, and Sunday, September 27, 2026.

According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, in the early hours of Friday, 25th September, following a distress call at 8:41am, the Alpha Eagle Team stationed at Cappa was immediately deployed to Palm Avenue Bus Stop, inward Oye, where a truck conveying a 40ft container had suffered a mechanical fault and become immobile, obstructing vehicular movement.

“The agency successfully recovered the broken-down truck off the road and safely parked it at a nearby layby, thereby restoring free flow of traffic,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

That same evening, following a call received at 7:24pm, the Alpha Eagle Team was again deployed to Ojuwoye Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, where another containerised truck had suffered an electrical fault.

“The response team secured the scene, managed traffic effectively, and with the aid of the Super Metro, the truck was recovered and moved to a safe location, ensuring unhindered vehicular movement along the corridor.

“On Saturday, 26th September, the Agency responded to a serious Road Traffic Accident at Otedola, Mobil inward Berger, involving a Ford Escape SUV and a moving truck. Upon arrival at the scene at about 6:07am, the Tiger Squad from C3 discovered that the SUV had rammed into the truck from behind, resulting in injuries to an adult male driver and a female adult passenger. The Agency’s Paramedics, in collaboration with LASAMBUS, promptly administered first aid and provided immediate pre-hospital care before transporting the casualties to the Trauma Centre for further medical treatment. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASTMA and the Nigeria Police Force were also present at the scene to ensure effective incident management. Both the affected truck and the SUV were thereafter moved to Isheri Police Station for further necessary action,” the PS said.

The Agency also successfully managed a truck breakdown at Olorunshogo Bus Stop, inward Cappa, on Friday evening, where a containerised truck became immobile due to a mechanical fault.

The vehicle was recovered with the aid of the Super Metro and relocated to a layby, while another breakdown involving a truck conveying interlocks at Ojuwoye was similarly recovered in the early hours of Sunday, 27th September, ensuring that all affected roads were cleared and reopened for public use.

The agency also responded to a fire outbreak at Bakare Street, Ojodu Berger, on Sunday afternoon.

Three out of eight shops stocked with foodstuffs and frozen foods had been engulfed by fire allegedly caused by an electrical surge following power restoration.

“The swift and professional intervention of the Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service successfully contained the inferno, prevented it from spreading to other shops, and completely extinguished the fire. Fortunately, no loss of life was recorded,” disclosed the PS.

Also on Sunday, the Agency responded to a containerised truck incident at Shoprite, Inward Governor’s Road, where a 40ft loaded container detached from the turntable of a Sinotruk head and fell with its flatbed, fully obstructing a lane. The response team immediately secured the scene and implemented traffic management measures. Through a well-coordinated multi-agency effort involving the Agency’s Lowbed, a private tow truck, an empty Sinotruk for transloading and a private forklift, the Peak Milk products contained therein were successfully transloaded, the affected truck head was towed to the LASTMA yard, and the flatbed was uprighted and recovered to a nearby layby. The roadway was subsequently cleared and reopened for vehicular movement.

The Agency’s heavy-duty equipment, Hiab, was also deployed to Fagba Bus Stop, inward Iju, on Saturday evening to provide technical support for the safe hanging of a billboard, which was completed.

“All operations have been concluded, affected roadways have been restored, and response teams have returned to base in good condition.

“The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains resolute in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all residents. The Agency reassures Lagosians of its continued readiness for prompt and professional emergency response at all times and urges all road users to adhere to safety regulations, ensure proper maintenance of vehicles and exercise caution while driving,” Oke-Osanyintolu concluded.

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