The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a nationwide three-day mourning period from June 12 to June 14 in honour of victims of violent attacks, kidnappings and banditry across the country.
The apex Christian organisation also proclaimed June 14 as “Black Sunday” to be observed in Churches nationwide as a symbol of solidarity with families affected by the persistent insecurity ravaging the nation.
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CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting a communiqué issued after 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 senior Church leaders, bloc representatives and delegates to deliberate and pray over the country’s growing challenges.
Okoh expressed serious concern over the worsening security situation, referencing recent incidents involving killings, kidnappings and destruction of communities in states including Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara and Kogi.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently declare a state of emergency on security in order to curb the ongoing violence across the country.
According to him, communities are constantly under siege, with citizens abducted from their homes and workplaces, travellers kidnapped on highways and farmers forced to flee their farmlands.
He lamented that innocent citizens, including women and children, were being killed, injured, displaced and in some cases gruesomely beheaded by terrorists and criminal gangs.
The CAN President criticised what he described as the repeated use of appeasing and passive language by some government officials when addressing serious security threats, insisting that the situation requires decisive and practical action.
He reminded authorities that safeguarding lives and property remains the foremost duty of any government.
Consequently, the cleric demanded a total overhaul of the nation’s security framework, stronger intelligence gathering, improved collaboration among security agencies and enhanced accountability in security operations.
Okoh also endorsed the decentralisation of policing, urging authorities to speed up constitutional and legislative processes for the creation of state police.
In addition, he demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all kidnapped schoolchildren, teachers and other Nigerians currently in captivity.
On the humanitarian aspect, the CAN President called for the establishment of a robust compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement scheme for victims of terrorism and families who have lost loved ones or means of livelihood.
He also urged Churches across the country to strengthen support mechanisms within their communities by providing relief materials, trauma counselling and peace-building initiatives for displaced persons.
Okoh further decried the growing focus on early political campaigns, defections and partisan calculations among politicians while many communities continue to suffer attacks and insecurity.
He advised political leaders and parties to avoid divisive politics and instead concentrate on addressing the country’s security challenges.
The cleric also appealed to labour unions, civil society groups and traditional institutions to work together in demanding accountability from government authorities.
Reaffirming the Church’s commitment to peace, justice and national unity, Okoh stated that although prayers would continue, they must be complemented by sustained advocacy and active civic engagement.
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