Nigeria Deserves Better Than the Claims of Dachomo Ezekiel — Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

What we are witnessing in narratives like that of Dachomo Ezekiel is not merely a personal testimony—it is a dangerous pattern of unverified, sensational storytelling that thrives on fear, superstition, and religious manipulation.

A man claims to have been an armed robber who attacked a bank in Jos in 1980, yet there is no verifiable record, no documented case, no legal trail—nothing that substantiates such a serious criminal admission. In any sane society, such a claim would be subjected to scrutiny, not applause. Instead, it is repackaged as a dramatic “deliverance story” to gain religious credibility.

Even more troubling are the theological assertions: claiming ignorance of “14 demons” within him, and alleging that Jesus instructed angels to kill his enemies. These are not just unverifiable—they contradict the very ethical and theological foundations that Christianity itself claims to uphold. Such statements blur the line between faith and fiction, turning religion into a theatre of exaggeration.

Nigeria is already fragile along religious lines. When individuals with no credible track record, no scholarly grounding, and no accountability are given platforms to spread such narratives, they do more harm than good. They deepen suspicion, reinforce stereotypes, and fuel division between Muslims and Christians—especially when these stories subtly or overtly demonize the “other.”

Faith should elevate truth, not replace it with spectacle.

People like Dachomo should not be allowed to shape public religious discourse unchecked. If someone claims a past of crime, let there be evidence. If someone claims divine encounters, let those claims align with established theological principles and be subjected to critical examination. Otherwise, we risk building a society where the loudest voice—not the most truthful one—defines reality.

As Nigerians, we must rise above emotional sensationalism and demand integrity in religious narratives. Our unity is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of unverified testimonies and dramatic claims.