The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security, citing a surge in killings, kidnappings, terrorist attacks and the destruction of communities across the country.
The demand was part of resolutions reached at the National Church Denominational Leaders’ Summit held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, according to Channels Television.
In a communiqué issued after the summit, themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward”, church leaders expressed concern over worsening insecurity, economic hardship and declining public confidence in public institutions.
CAN said thousands of Nigerians had been displaced from their communities, while many families continued to live in fear due to persistent violence and criminal activities.
The association pointed to recent abductions, killings and attacks in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Benue and Kogi states, among others. It highlighted the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers, attacks on farming communities and the spread of violent crime into areas previously regarded as 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 Christian body condemned what it described as barbaric acts including murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement. It urged the Federal Government to take urgent and measurable steps to restore public confidence and protect lives and property.
CAN also called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater accountability in tackling terrorism, banditry and violent crime.
The association renewed calls for the establishment of state police and other decentralised security structures, arguing that such measures would improve intelligence gathering, local accountability and rapid response capabilities.
It further demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens being held captive, while urging security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
As part of its resolutions, CAN declared June 12 to June 14, 2026, as three days of national mourning. It also designated June 14 as Black Sunday, urging churches across Nigeria to honour victims of violence and show solidarity with affected families.
The association called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, student groups, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to work together in holding government accountable for protecting lives and property.
The call comes amid growing concern over recent mass abductions, including the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State. On May 15, armed bandits attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers. A school worker was killed during the attack, while a kidnapped mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later reported killed.
In response, President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of 1,000 forest guards, while security agencies stepped up rescue efforts. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also visited affected communities and assured residents that efforts to secure the release of the abductees were continuing.
Teachers in Oyo State have since embarked on an indefinite strike, while the Nigerian Union of Teachers has organised solidarity protests nationwide.
A similar incident occurred in Borno State on the same day, where 42 pupils were abducted in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, raising fresh fears about a resurgence of mass school kidnappings in Nigeria.
