The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security, citing the worsening wave of killings, kidnappings, terrorist attacks and destruction of communities across the country.
The demand was part of the resolutions reached at the National Church Denominational Leaders’ Summit held on Tuesday at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
In a communiqué issued after the gathering, which was themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” church leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, economic difficulties and what they described as a growing loss of public confidence in government institutions.
The association noted that continued violence and criminal activities have forced thousands of Nigerians from their ancestral homes, leaving many communities displaced and families living in constant fear.
Participants at the summit pointed to recent incidents of abductions, killings and attacks recorded in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Benue, Kogi and several other states.
They also highlighted the growing trend of kidnappings involving schoolchildren and teachers, attacks on farming settlements and the spread of violent crimes into communities once regarded as relatively safe.
“CAN expresses profound alarm over the escalating violence across Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks, and the destruction of communities,” the communiqué stated.
The association condemned what it described as “barbaric acts of murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement,” calling on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive measures to restore security and public confidence.
CAN also advocated a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework.
According to the association, stronger intelligence gathering, improved collaboration among security agencies and greater accountability are necessary to effectively combat terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime.
The Christian body also renewed calls for the swift passage of constitutional and legislative measures that would enable the establishment of state police and other decentralised security structures.
It argued that such measures would strengthen local intelligence gathering, improve rapid response capabilities and enhance accountability at the grassroots level.
In addition, the association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens being held captive by criminal groups.
It urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of victims.
As part of its resolutions, CAN declared a three-day national mourning period beginning on Friday, June 12, 2026, and ending on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The association also designated June 14 as Black Sunday across churches nationwide to honour victims of violence and demonstrate solidarity with families affected by insecurity.
Beyond government action, CAN called on key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, student organisations, civil society groups and traditional institutions, to unite in demanding accountability and sustained efforts to protect lives and property.
The call comes amid growing public concern over recent mass abductions in different parts of the country, particularly the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
On May 15, armed bandits reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a vice principal.
A school worker was killed during the attack, while one of the abducted teachers, identified as mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later reportedly beheaded by his captors.
In response to the incident, President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of 1,000 forest guards, while security agencies intensified efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, alongside a Federal Government delegation, also visited affected communities and assured residents that rescue operations were ongoing.
The incident triggered widespread outrage across the country, leading to an indefinite strike by teachers in Oyo State and solidarity protests organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
A similar attack was reported on the same day in Borno State, where 42 pupils were abducted in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns about the resurgence of mass school kidnappings in Nigeria.
Against this backdrop, CAN insists that urgent and far-reaching security measures are required to halt the violence, protect vulnerable communities and restore confidence in the nation’s security system.
