The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reiterated its concern over persistent attacks on Christian communities in the country.
In a statement signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, the association said: “CAN affirms, without hesitation, that many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship. These realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region.”
Armed groups, such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militias, have left believers in the country fearing for their lives. Attacks on Christian farming communities have escalated in recent years, particularly in central states including Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna.
CAN called on the government and “security agencies” to “take urgent, transparent, and equitable action to end the killings, safeguard vulnerable Christian communities from displacement, and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law.”
“The pain of Christian families torn apart by violence must never be treated as mere statistics,” the association said.
The statement comes after a CAN official seemingly downplayed the severity of persecution by telling Nigerian media that the killings of Christians had “not been in a particular pattern”. This was initially taken to be the official CAN position, but had instead been said to counter claims by US comedian Bill Maher that there was an ongoing genocide in the country.
In the US, lawmakers are advocating for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act, with Senator Ted Cruz introducing the ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom Act of 2025’.
Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, Chief Executive of CSW-Nigeria, said he is glad that light is being shone on the “extreme and unprecedented levels of insecurity” in the country.
He continued: “CSW echoes CAN’s call for urgent action to end the targeted killings of Christians in northern and central Nigeria, and also appeals to the government to secure the nation as a whole as a matter of urgency.”