From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day national mourning period from June 12 to June 14 in honour of victims of violent attacks, mass abductions, and banditry across the country, while urging the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on national security.
The apex Christian body also designated June 14 as “Black Sunday” across churches nationwide as a mark of solidarity with families affected by the persistent wave of killings and insecurity across several parts of the country.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, announced the resolutions on Tuesday in Abuja while reading a communiqué issued at the end of the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit.
The summit, held at the National Christian Centre under the theme, “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” brought together top church leaders, bloc leaders, and delegates to review the country’s growing security and socio-political concerns.
Expressing deep concern over the worsening security situation, Okoh cited recent incidents involving killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of communities in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, and Kogi states.
He said the scale of violence had become unacceptable and demanded immediate action by the government.
“Communities are under attack; citizens are kidnapped from their homes and places of work, travellers are abducted on highways, and farmers are driven from their lands.
“Innocent men, women, and children are killed, maimed, displaced, and, in some cases, brutally beheaded by criminal and terrorist elements,” Okoh said.
The cleric criticised what he described as the recurring use of conciliatory and pacifist rhetoric by senior government officials in addressing serious security threats, insisting that the country requires a more proactive and result-oriented approach.
According to him, the primary responsibility of any administration remains the protection of lives and property, stressing that government responses must move beyond rhetoric to decisive action.
Consequently, CAN demanded a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, calling for enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and greater operational accountability among security agencies.
The association also backed the decentralisation of security operations and called for the accelerated constitutional and legislative processes necessary for the establishment of state police.
The CAN President further demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted school children, teachers, and other citizens currently being held captive by criminal elements.
On the humanitarian front, Okoh called for the establishment of a comprehensive compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism and families who have lost loved ones and livelihoods as a result of violence.
He also urged churches across the federation to strengthen support systems by providing humanitarian assistance, trauma care, and peace-building initiatives for displaced persons within their communities.
CAN further 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 attack.
Okoh urged political leaders and parties to avoid divisive politics and instead prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians.
He also called on organised labour unions, civil society groups, and traditional institutions to work together in holding the government accountable.
Reaffirming the Church’s commitment to national unity, peace, and justice, Okoh stressed that while prayers would continue, they must be matched with sustained civic engagement and advocacy to achieve meaningful change.
