The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day national mourning period beginning June 12 and called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security, citing worsening killings, kidnappings, terrorist attacks and mass abductions across the country.
The decision was announced on Tuesday in Abuja at the end of the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026, where church leaders from across the country gathered under the theme, “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward.”
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the church could no longer remain silent in the face of what he described as an escalating national security crisis.
According to the communiqué issued after the summit, the mourning period will run from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14, while churches nationwide have been directed to observe June 14 as “Black Sunday” in honour of victims of violence and in solidarity with families affected by insecurity.
The association said communities across several states have continued to suffer attacks, kidnappings and destruction, pointing specifically to incidents reported in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, Kogi and other parts of the country.
CAN warned that the persistent bloodshed now poses a serious threat to national stability, unity and development.
“Communities are under attack; citizens are kidnapped from their homes and places of work, travellers are abducted on highways, and farmers are driven from their lands,” Okoh said while presenting the summit’s resolutions.
The apex Christian body criticised what it described as the continued reliance on conciliatory rhetoric by government officials in responding to grave security threats, insisting that Nigerians expect measurable action rather than assurances.
It argued that the protection of lives and property remains the government’s foremost constitutional responsibility.
As part of its recommendations, CAN called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, including improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater operational accountability.
The organisation also renewed support for the establishment of state police and other decentralised security structures to improve local response to emerging threats.
The church leaders further demanded the immediate and unconditional release of abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens currently being held by criminal groups.
Security agencies were urged to intensify rescue efforts and ensure all victims regain their freedom.
Beyond security operations, CAN advocated the creation of a national compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism, banditry and violent attacks.
Churches were also encouraged to strengthen humanitarian assistance, trauma support and peace-building initiatives for displaced persons and affected communities.
The association expressed concern that political defections, election calculations and early campaign activities appear to be dominating national discourse while many communities remain under siege.
It urged political leaders to place national security above partisan interests and focus on restoring public confidence.
CAN also called on organised labour, professional bodies, civil society groups, student organisations and traditional institutions to join efforts aimed at holding government accountable and sustaining pressure for improved security across the federation.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, justice and national unity, the association said the current security situation should be treated as a collective national emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action from government, institutions and citizens alike.
