By Olawumi Oyehan
Following the continued insecurity in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Friday, June 12 as the commencement of a three-day period of national mourning till Sunday, June 14.
CAN also designated Sunday, June 14 as a Black Sunday across churches in Nigeria in honour of victims of violence, and in solidarity with families that are affected by the unabating insecurity.
Consequently, CAN has called for the establishment of state police and other lawful decentralised security structures, in order to improve intelligence gathering, rapid response and local accountability.
These were contained in a communique issued after the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026 to prayerfully review the state of the nation and chart a collective path towards peace, justice, security and national renewal organised by CAN in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The communique, which was signed by CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, raised alarm over the escalating violence across Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks and the destruction of communities.
CAN condemned, in ‘strongest terms, the barbaric acts of murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement being perpetrated against innocent citizens’ , and called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security across the country.
In the communique they also reminded the Federal Government that the protection of lives and property remains its foremost constitutional responsibility and demanded urgent, decisive and measurable action to halt the bloodshed and restore public confidence.
”CAN calls for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime.
”CAN calls for the immediate acceleration of constitutional and legislative processes leading to the establishment of state police and other lawful decentralised security structures capable of improving intelligence gathering, rapid response and local accountability,” the communique read in part.
The Summit was aimed at discussing the worsening insecurity, economic hardship, declining public confidence in state institutions, growing social fragmentation, and increasing threats to the lives, dignity and well-being of Nigerians. Participants deliberated extensively on the challenges confronting the nation and the Church and resolved to speak with one voice in defence of truth, justice, human dignity and the sanctity of life.
The Summit was convened amid an unprecedented wave of violence sweeping across the country. Communities are under attack, citizens are kidnapped from their homes and places of work, travellers are abducted on highways, farmers are driven from their lands, while innocent men, women and children are killed, maimed, displaced and, in some cases, brutally beheaded by criminal and terrorist elements.
According to the communique, participants noted with deep concern the growing attacks on churches, schools and vulnerable communities, the increasing sophistication of criminal networks, and the apparent inability of existing security arrangements to provide adequate protection for citizens.
The Summit further observed that thousands of Nigerians remain displaced from their ancestral communities, many families continue to live in fear, and victims of violence often receive little support, justice or compensation.
The Summit was attended by leaders of Christian denominations and blocs across Nigeria, including representatives of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Christian Council of Nigeria, Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches, TEKAN/ECWA and other member bodies of CAN, alongside church administrators, legal practitioners, security experts and Christian leaders from across the six geopolitical zones.
The Summit expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation across the country and recalled recent incidents of mass abductions, killings and attacks in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, Kogi and other states.
Participants noted with particular concern the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, attacks on farming communities, continued terrorist activities in parts of the North-East, and the spread of kidnapping and violent crime into areas previously considered relatively safe.
The Summit lamented the loss of countless lives, the destruction of livelihoods, the displacement of communities and the deep trauma inflicted on victims and their families. Participants warned that the continuing assault on human life, freedom and dignity poses a serious threat to national stability, unity and development.
CAN therefore demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens currently held captive by criminal elements across the country and calls on security agencies to intensify rescue efforts until every victim regains freedom.
CAN also called on churches across the country to strengthen support systems for victims of violence, displaced persons and affected communities through humanitarian assistance, trauma care, peacebuilding initiatives, youth engagement programmes and public awareness campaigns.
CAN demanded the establishment of a comprehensive compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism, kidnapping and violent attacks. Families who have lost loved ones, persons who have suffered permanent injuries, and communities whose homes, schools, churches and livelihoods have been destroyed deserve justice, support and restoration.
CAN further demands the safe return, protection and resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral communities under adequate security guarantees.
CAN lamented that political calculations, defections and premature electioneering activities continue while many communities remain under siege.
”CAN, therefore, calls on political leaders and parties to suspend divisive political distractions and focus national attention on restoring security, protecting citizens and rebuilding public confidence,” Okoh said.