The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has called on the Federal Government to take decisive action to end the persistent insecurity affecting parts of the country, particularly Christian-dominated communities in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of CAN’s Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council Meeting held at Crispan Hotel in Jos, Plateau State, Okoh said the government must act urgently to halt what he described as “years of unspeakable tragedy, persecution, and displacement” suffered by Christian communities.
Okoh noted that despite the efforts and sacrifices of security agencies, killings, kidnappings, and mass displacements “remain unabated,” leaving thousands dead, many widowed and orphaned, and entire villages destroyed.
“We renew our appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria—and to the international community—to act decisively and urgently to halt the senseless destruction of lives and displacement of indigenous people,” he said. “No individual should ever be persecuted or killed on account of their faith.”
The CAN president reaffirmed the association’s long-standing position that Christian communities are facing what he termed a “Christian genocide” in several parts of the country. He insisted that denying the targeted nature of these attacks would be “a grave injustice,” adding that perpetrators continue to evade justice while victims receive no compensation or closure.
Okoh emphasized that CAN would not relent in demanding justice and accountability, describing the organisation as a “principled, courageous, and consistent advocate for peace, justice, and national unity.”
The archbishop urged both federal and state governments to prioritise the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes. He described the continued existence of IDP camps as “a painful indictment on our national conscience” and warned that the humanitarian crisis could escalate further if not urgently addressed.
