By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, has said that Christians who are being persecuted—remain at the center of the association’s advocacy.
Okoh, who spoke in Jos on Tuesday at the fourth National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association said, “whenever a Christian is afflicted, we are duty-bound to respond. This responsibility we shall never abdicate.
“Across many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have experienced repeated, coordinated, and in many cases, clearly targeted attacks. These horrors have left thousands of people dead, countless widowed and orphaned, and entire villages levelled without justice or closure. Victims have not been compensated, and perpetrators continue to evade accountability.”
He said these unrelenting tragedies—killings, kidnappings, arson, destruction of churches, and the dislocation of indigenous communities—have now drawn urgent attention from the international community.
“Although we are pained that Nigeria is being spotlighted for such grievous reasons, if international attention is what is required to spur decisive governmental action to protect lives and bring lasting peace, then we, the Christian community in Nigeria, welcome it.
“Let me assure you: CAN will not relent.
We will continue to demand justice.
We will continue to call for accountability.
We will continue to defend the vulnerable.
We will continue to advocate for peace and unity in Nigeria.
“We acknowledge the sacrifices of our security agencies and sympathize with the families of those who have lost their lives in service to the nation. Yet, despite these efforts, the killings, kidnappings, and mass displacements remain unabated. Therefore, we renew our appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria—and to the international community—to act decisively and urgently to halt the senseless destruction of lives and displacement of indigenous people, particularly in Christian-dominated communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
“No individual should ever be persecuted or killed on account of their faith. We further call on both federal and state governments to take immediate steps to resettle all internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes. Their prolonged stay in IDP camps is a painful indictment on our national conscience and a constant reminder that justice has been delayed. If not addressed, this humanitarian crisis may escalate into something far more devastating. God forbid!
“Beloved, these challenging times demand sincerity, courage, unity, and wisdom from Christian leaders across Nigeria. This is a season in which we must speak with one voice, stand shoulder to shoulder, and unite our strategies to confront an existential threat to our communities. Our strength lies in our unity.”
