CAN charts collective path towards peace, national renewal

..Expresses concern over deteriorating security across Nigeria

…Declares Sunday June 14, ‘Black Sunday’ across churches

…As Adeboye urges FG to go after people financing terrorism

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in conjunction with the leadership of the Church in Nigeria is charting a new course towards collective drive towards peace and national development, just as it expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation across the country.

CAN recently convened the National Church Denominational Leaders’ Summit 2026 to review the state of the nation and chart a collective path towards peace, justice, security and national renewal.

The summit was held against the backdrop of 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.

According to a communiqué issued and signed by Daniel Okoh, the president of CAN, after the summit, 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.

CAN also affirmed that prayer must be matched with action and resolved to intensify advocacy, civic engagement and sustained dialogue with the Presidency, security agencies, the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders.

On the back of this, the Cristian body declared Friday, June 12, 2026, as the commencement of a three-day period of national mourning, to continue through Sunday, June 14, 2026. CAN also designate Sunday, June 14, 2026, as ‘Black Sunday’ across churches in honour of victims of violence and in solidarity with families affected by insecurity.

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According to CAN, the summit was convened amid an unprecedented wave of violence sweeping across the country. It noted that communities are under attack, while citizens are kidnapped from their homes and places of work.

CAN noted that travellers are abducted on highways, while farmers are driven from their lands, with innocent men, women and children being killed, maimed, displaced and, in some cases, brutally beheaded by criminal and terrorist elements.

According to the communiqué, participants noted with deep concern the growing attacks on churches, schools and vulnerable communities, and the increasing sophistication of criminal networks, coupled with 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, while many families continue to live in fear, and victims of violence often receive little support, justice or compensation.

“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,” the communiqué read.

The summit therefore lamented the loss of countless lives, the destruction of livelihoods, the displacement of communities and the deep trauma inflicted on victims and their families, and warned that the continuing assault on human life, freedom and dignity poses a serious threat to national stability, unity and development.

Accordingly, 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.

“CAN urges stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, civil society groups and local communities to confront the growing threats to national peace and stability.”

The umbrella body of the Church in Nigeria also demanded for an immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens currently held captive by criminal elements across the country; urging security agencies to intensify rescue efforts until every victim regains freedom.

In a similar vein, Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), also urged the federal government (FG) to go beyond targeting terrorists and focus on those financing and supporting their activities.

The cleric made this known in a recent video shared on X, where he also urged the FG to give a 90-day window for security chiefs to eliminate terrorists across the country or resign from office.

“If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, ‘Move fast and tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign,” he said, indicating that there is need for stronger political will and strict enforcement of directives aimed at ending insecurity.

“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists; they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” Adeboye said.

The Christian body also demanded 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.

“CAN calls on churches across the country to strengthen support systems for victims of violence, displaced persons and affected communities through humanitarian assistance, trauma care, peace building initiatives, youth engagement programmes and public awareness campaigns.”