Insecurity: You Must Listen to CAN — Atiku Tells Tinubu

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay close attention to the concerns and recommendations raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding the worsening security situation in the country.

In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, Atiku expressed support for a communiqué issued by CAN following its 2026 National Church Leaders Summit, led by Daniel Okoh.

The former vice president said he shares the concerns and sympathies expressed by the Christian body over the safety of Nigerians amid increasing cases of kidnappings, terrorism, banditry, and violent crime.

According to Atiku, CAN’s call for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture aligns with his longstanding position on the country’s security challenges.

He highlighted recommendations by the association, including improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies, enhanced operational effectiveness, and greater accountability in the fight against criminal activities.

Atiku argued that insecurity continues to affect Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnicity and described the situation as evidence of governance failures under the current administration.

He commended CAN for what he described as a courageous effort to hold leaders accountable and urged other faith-based organisations, particularly Muslim groups, to join calls for urgent action to address the security crisis.

The ADC chieftain further appealed to President Tinubu to carefully consider the recommendations put forward by CAN and take concrete measures beyond public assurances to improve security across the country.

His remarks followed CAN’s condemnation of the recent wave of kidnappings and attacks, including the abduction of schoolchildren in different parts of Nigeria, and its demand for the immediate release of all victims.

The exchange reflects growing concern among political, religious, and civil society leaders over the country’s security challenges, as calls intensify for more effective strategies to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.