The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day national mourning period from June 12 to June 14 in honour of victims of violent attacks, mass abductions and banditry across the country.
The association also designated June 14 as “Black Sunday”, calling on churches nationwide to observe the day in solidarity with families affected by Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, announced the decision on Tuesday in Abuja 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 church leaders, denominational heads and delegates to assess the country’s challenges and chart a path forward.
Expressing concern over the growing insecurity in several parts of the country, Okoh cited recent incidents of killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara and Kogi states.
He said the persistent violence had left many communities devastated, with citizens being abducted from their homes, workplaces and highways, while farmers have been forced off their farmlands.
“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.
“Innocent men, women and children are killed, maimed, displaced and, in some cases, brutally beheaded by criminal and terrorist elements.”
The Christian body urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on national security and adopt more decisive measures to address the crisis.
CAN also criticized what it described as the frequent use of conciliatory rhetoric by government officials in response to serious security threats, insisting that Nigerians needed concrete results rather than assurances.
According to the association, the government must prioritize its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
To strengthen the country’s security framework, CAN called for a comprehensive review of existing security structures, improved intelligence gathering, enhanced cooperation among security agencies and greater accountability in security operations.
The association also reiterated its support for the establishment of state police, urging lawmakers and relevant authorities to accelerate constitutional and legislative processes needed to decentralize policing.
In addition, CAN demanded the immediate and unconditional release of abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens currently being held by kidnappers and other criminal groups.
On the humanitarian front, the association called for the creation of a national compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism and violent attacks, as well as families who have lost loved ones and sources of livelihood.
It also encouraged churches across the country to strengthen support systems for displaced persons through humanitarian assistance, trauma counselling and peace-building initiatives.
The association expressed concern that political activities ahead of future elections were beginning to dominate national discourse while many communities continued to face security threats.
Okoh urged political leaders, parties, labour unions, civil society groups and traditional institutions to focus on addressing insecurity and holding government accountable.
He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting peace, justice and national unity, stressing that prayer must be accompanied by sustained advocacy and civic engagement.
The declaration of mourning comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnappings, killings and attacks on schools and rural communities across several parts of Nigeria.
