Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security, warning that the escalating wave of killings, kidnappings, terrorist attacks and destruction of communities across the country has become intolerable. The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026, held in Abuja on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, under the theme “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward”. In the same communiqué, CAN declared a three‑day national mourning period from Friday, 12 June 2026 to Sunday, 14 June 2026, and designated the final day as “Black Sunday” across churches nationwide in honour of victims of violence and in solidarity with affected families.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who presented the communiqué, stressed that prayers alone would not resolve Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. “It has come to that point where the government will have to declare a state of emergency on security,” he said, while clarifying that the call was not a threat to the administration of President Bola Tinubu but a necessary reminder of the government’s constitutional duty to protect lives and property. The church leaders expressed “profound alarm over the escalating violence across Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks and the destruction of communities” and condemned the “barbaric acts of murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement” being perpetrated against innocent citizens.
The summit, which brought together leaders of major Christian denominations, legal practitioners, security experts and representatives from the six geopolitical zones, noted with concern the spread of violent crime into areas previously considered safe, including recent mass abductions in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara and Kogi states. Participants specifically cited the 15 May 2026 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, in which 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted, a school worker was killed and a mathematics teacher was later beheaded. A similar attack the same day in Askira‑Uba Local Government Area of Borno State led to the abduction of 42 pupils.
Among the key resolutions, CAN demanded a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced inter‑agency cooperation and greater operational accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime. The association also urged the immediate acceleration of constitutional and legislative processes to establish state police and other decentralised security structures, arguing that such reforms would improve intelligence gathering, rapid response and local accountability. Archbishop Okoh further called for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens held captive by criminal groups, and urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations until every victim regains freedom.
On the humanitarian front, CAN called for the establishment of a comprehensive compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism, kidnapping and violent attacks. It demanded the safe return and protection of displaced persons in their ancestral communities. The association also expressed concern over what it described as misplaced priorities among the political class, lamenting that early electioneering campaigns, political calculations and defections were taking centre stage while many communities remained under siege. Okoh urged political leaders and parties to suspend divisive politics and instead prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians.
As part of efforts to mobilise public action, CAN resolved to intensify advocacy, civic engagement and sustained dialogue with the Presidency, security agencies, the National Assembly and other stakeholders. It also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, student bodies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to join efforts to hold the government accountable and ensure sustained commitment to securing lives and property. The church leaders reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to national unity, peace and justice, stressing that while prayers would continue, they must be matched with sustained civic engagement and advocacy to achieve meaningful change.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News
🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew
📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments