The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security as violent attacks, kidnappings and terrorist activities continue to spread across the country.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Church Denominational Leaders’ Summit held on Tuesday at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
The summit, themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” brought together church leaders from across the country who expressed concern over worsening insecurity, economic hardship and growing public anxiety.
According to the communiqué, participants lamented the increasing cases of killings, abductions, attacks on communities and destruction of property in several parts of the country.
The church leaders specifically referenced recent incidents in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Benue and Kogi states, including attacks on schools, farming communities and mass abductions of citizens.
“CAN expresses profound alarm over the escalating violence across Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks and the destruction of communities,” the communiqué stated.
The association condemned what it described as the brutal murder, torture, rape, abduction and displacement of innocent Nigerians, calling on the government to take urgent and decisive steps to restore public confidence and protect lives and property.
CAN also called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and increased accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime.
The Christian body further renewed its support for the establishment of state police and other decentralised security structures, arguing that local policing would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response and strengthen community security.
It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other Nigerians currently being held by criminal groups.
As part of its resolutions, CAN declared a three-day national mourning period from June 12 to June 14 to honour victims of insecurity across the country.
The association also designated June 14 as “Black Sunday,” calling on churches nationwide to observe special services in memory of those killed and in solidarity with families affected by violence.
CAN further appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, student bodies, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to join efforts aimed at holding government accountable and ensuring improved security across the country.
The call comes amid widespread concern over recent mass abductions, including the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
On May 15, armed men attacked three schools in the area and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers. One school worker was killed during the attack, while abducted mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later reportedly murdered in captivity.
The incident triggered nationwide outrage, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on protests across several states and teachers in Oyo State commencing an indefinite strike until the victims are rescued.
Another mass abduction occurred in Borno State on the same day, where 42 pupils were reportedly kidnapped in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, further raising concerns over a resurgence of attacks on schools in Nigeria.
