The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a nationwide prayer campaign against what it terms an ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, urging immediate intervention from both federal authorities and the international community. This declaration comes amid increasing reports of targeted attacks, killings, and mass displacement of Christian communities predominantly in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt regions.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, made the announcement during the Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council Meeting held in Jos, Plateau State. He outlined the gravity of the situation as he recounted a recent visit to Bokkos, where he personally met with displaced Christians, prayed with them, and provided relief assistance. “We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you,” Archbishop Okoh affirmed. He characterized the situation as a “grave injustice” marked by destroyed churches, lost lives, and families torn apart.
The Plateau State chapter of CAN highlighted the persistent attacks on Christian settlements, destruction of farmlands, and the failure of security agencies to effectively arrest or deter perpetrators. According to Rev. Dunka Gomwalk, CAN State Chairman, these attacks have caused significant economic hardship, the collapse of farming activities, and a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity. He said the government’s inadequate response raises serious concerns about its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. “Silence in the face of evil is complicity,” Rev. Gomwalk declared, urging Christians to remain vigilant, united, and peaceful while advocating for their rights and safety.
CAN called on the federal and state governments to move beyond mere condemnation and implement decisive, measurable actions including deploying adequate security forces and ensuring the prosecution of offenders. The association also appealed to global human rights organizations and the international community to pay closer attention to this unfolding crisis. They stressed that international support might be necessary to prevent further bloodshed and hold perpetrators accountable.
During the meeting, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, represented by his deputy Josephine Piyo, expressed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace, securing rural communities, and rehabilitating displaced families. Mutfwang remarked that holding the meeting in Plateau—a state once regarded as the “Home of Peace and Tourism”—symbolizes a call to return stability to the region. “Nigeria needs the Church now more than ever,” he stated, urging delegates to formulate resolutions that advance unity, security, and peace nationwide.
With the Christian population increasingly targeted, CAN underscores that protecting these communities requires coordinated efforts including humanitarian resettlement for internally displaced persons and powerful advocacy for justice. The association’s nationwide prayer declaration is a call to bring spiritual attention and urgent political will to what it describes as an ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
