…Declares ‘Black Sunday’ Over Killings
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on Security across the country, warning that escalating killings, kidnappings and terrorist attacks have pushed Nigeria into a national crisis.
The demand formed the highlight of a communiqué issued at the end of the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026 held in Abuja on Tuesday, where Christian leaders from across the country expressed deep concern over worsening insecurity and what they described as the inability of existing security arrangements to adequately protect citizens.
The communique signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, condemned what it termed the “barbaric acts of murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement” being perpetrated by criminal and terrorist groups.
The communique partly reads: “CAN expresses profound alarm over the escalating violence across Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks and the destruction of communities.”
The summit, themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” brought together leaders of major Christian denominations, security experts, legal practitioners and church administrators from the six geopolitical zones.
Participants lamented that communities across the country remain under siege, with citizens kidnapped from homes, workplaces and highways, while farmers are displaced from their lands and schools increasingly targeted by criminal elements.
The church body urged the Federal Government to take “urgent, decisive and measurable action” to halt the bloodshed and restore public confidence, insisting that the protection of lives and property remains the government’s foremost constitutional responsibility.
Among its key resolutions, CAN called for an immediate review of the nation’s security architecture, stronger intelligence gathering, improved inter-agency collaboration and enhanced accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime.
It also renewed calls for the establishment of State Police and other decentralised security structures, arguing that localised security mechanisms would improve intelligence gathering, rapid response and community accountability.
The association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens currently in captivity, while calling on security agencies to intensify rescue operations nationwide.
In a significant move aimed at drawing national attention to victims of insecurity, CAN declared June 12 to 14, 2026, a period of national mourning and designated Sunday, June 14, as “Black Sunday” across churches in Nigeria.
According to the communiqué, the observance is intended to honour victims of violence and show solidarity with families affected by insecurity.
CAN also called for 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.”
The summit further expressed concern that political defections and premature electioneering activities were gaining momentum while many communities continued to suffer attacks.
“Political leaders and parties should suspend divisive political distractions and focus national attention on restoring security, protecting citizens and rebuilding public confidence.”
CAN also urged organised labour, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, student bodies, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to join efforts aimed at holding government accountable for the protection of lives and property.
The apex Christian body reaffirmed its commitment to Christian unity, peace, justice and the defence of human dignity, while calling on Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political divides to unite against what it described as a collective national emergency.
“The current security crisis constitutes a collective national emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action,” the church leaders declared.
