The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed grave concern over the persistent violence and insecurity facing Christian communities across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, where many have suffered “severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of places of worship.”
In a press release issued on Wednesday, CAN said the scale of killings and displacement affecting Christians had reached “alarming proportions,” calling for urgent and transparent intervention from the government and security agencies.
The statement, titled “Christian Genocide — CAN Clarifies Position,” and signed by its National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, condemned the continued targeting of Christian communities and criticised what it described as the “slow and inconsistent response” of authorities.
“CAN affirms, without hesitation, that many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship,” the statement read.
“These realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region,” it added.
According to CAN, the association has, over the years, made significant efforts to draw both national and international attention to the plight of Christians in Nigeria.
“The Association has established mechanisms for recording incidents of religiously motivated killings, engaged with international partners, written to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and hosted global Christian organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement,” CAN stated.
Despite these ongoing efforts, the association lamented that “cries for justice and protection are too often met with delay or denial,” warning that the government’s failure to act swiftly could further deepen mistrust and endanger national unity.
“We therefore renew our call on government and security agencies to take urgent, transparent, and equitable action to end the killings, safeguard vulnerable Christian communities from displacement, and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” the statement continued.
“The pain of Christian families torn apart by violence must never be treated as mere statistics,” Archbishop Okoh emphasised.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to combat insecurity, CAN urged authorities to intensify protection measures across all faiths and regions.
“Nigeria’s healing will not come from denial or blame, but from courage — the courage to face our collective failures, to grieve together, and to rebuild trust within our communities. Only then can our nation rise from its wounds and embrace a future of genuine peace,” Okoh said.
The statement also addressed the growing international campaign against alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, following recent claims by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher, who alleged that Christians were being systematically targeted and killed in the country.
Similarly, U.S. lawmaker Riley M. Moore had called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take “decisive diplomatic action” against the Nigerian government over what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria.
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