Insecurity: CAN Declares Three-Day National Mourning

The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared a three-day national mourning period from June 12 to June 14 to honour victims of violent attacks, mass abductions, banditry, and terrorism across the country.

The apex Christian body also designated June 14 as “Black Sunday” in churches nationwide as a show of solidarity with families affected by the persistent security crisis.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by CAN President, Daniel Okoh, while presenting a communiqué issued at the end of 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 and delegates to assess the nation’s challenges and seek solutions through prayer and dialogue.

Okoh expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity, citing recent killings, kidnappings, and destruction of communities in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, and Kogi states. He urged the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on national security to address the worsening situation.

According to him, communities are under constant attack, citizens are being kidnapped from their homes and workplaces, travellers are being abducted on highways, and farmers are being forced off their lands by criminal groups.

The cleric criticised what he described as a recurring reliance on conciliatory rhetoric by government officials in responding to major security threats, stressing the need for decisive and result-oriented action.

CAN called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, stronger cooperation among security agencies, and increased accountability in security operations.

The association also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the government to accelerate constitutional and legislative processes to decentralise security management.

In addition, CAN demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers, and other citizens currently in captivity.

The body further advocated a national compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism and families affected by violence. It also encouraged churches nationwide to expand humanitarian support, trauma care, and peace-building initiatives.

Okoh lamented that political manoeuvring and early election campaigns were overshadowing urgent national security concerns, urging political leaders, labour groups, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions to prioritise the safety and welfare of Nigerians.