The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day national mourning period to honour victims of killings, kidnappings and violent attacks across the country, with June 14 designated as “Black Sunday” in churches nationwide.
The mourning period will run from June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, to June 14 as a mark of solidarity with families affected by the worsening security situation.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, 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 and delegates from across the country to assess Nigeria’s challenges and chart a way forward.
Expressing concern over the growing wave of violence, Okoh cited recent attacks, kidnappings and killings in several states, including Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara and Kogi.
He urged the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on national security, warning that many communities remain under constant threat.
“Communities are under attack. Citizens are being kidnapped from their homes and workplaces, travellers are being abducted on highways, and farmers are being forced off their lands,” he said.
“Innocent men, women and children are being killed, injured, displaced and, in some cases, brutally murdered by criminal and terrorist groups.”
The CAN president criticised what he described as a pattern of conciliatory responses by government officials to serious security threats, insisting that Nigerians need decisive and effective action.
According to him, the foremost responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property.
Okoh called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, including improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater accountability in security operations.
He also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging lawmakers and relevant authorities to accelerate constitutional and legislative processes required to make it a reality.
The church leader further demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens currently being held by criminal groups.
On the humanitarian front, he advocated a comprehensive compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism and families who have lost loved ones or livelihoods due to insecurity.
He also urged churches across the country to strengthen support systems for displaced persons through humanitarian assistance, trauma care and peace-building initiatives.
Okoh expressed concern that political calculations, defections and early electioneering activities were increasingly dominating national discourse while insecurity continued to devastate communities.
He called on political leaders to place national security above partisan interests and urged organised labour, civil society groups and traditional institutions to work together in holding government accountable.
Reaffirming the church’s commitment to peace, justice and national unity, Okoh said prayers alone would not be enough to address the crisis.
According to him, sustained advocacy, civic engagement and collective action are equally necessary to restore security and stability across the country.
