The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day national mourning period over the worsening insecurity across the country and called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.
The decision was reached at the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026 held in Abuja under the theme, “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, CAN announced that the mourning period will begin on June 12 and end on June 14, 2026. The association also designated June 14 as “Black Sunday” in churches nationwide to honour victims of violence and show solidarity with families affected by insecurity.
Church leaders expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks and the destruction of communities in different parts of the country.
The association condemned what it described as barbaric acts of murder, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement of innocent Nigerians, insisting that the Federal Government must take urgent and decisive steps to address the security crisis.
CAN urged the government to declare a state of emergency on security and implement measures that would restore public confidence and protect lives and property.
The Christian body also called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and enhanced operational effectiveness in tackling terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
According to the communiqué, the continued attacks on communities, schools and innocent citizens in states such as Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara and Kogi pose a serious threat to national stability and development.
CAN further demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other victims currently being held by criminal groups across the country.
The association advocated for the establishment of compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programmes for victims of terrorism, kidnapping and violent attacks, while also calling for the safe return of displaced persons to their communities.
The church leaders stressed the need for constitutional and legislative processes leading to the establishment of state police and other decentralised security structures to improve local intelligence gathering and rapid response to threats.
CAN also criticised what it described as the growing focus on political activities and early electioneering while many communities continue to suffer from insecurity.
The association urged political leaders, civil society groups, labour unions, professional bodies, traditional institutions and all Nigerians to unite in demanding greater accountability and stronger action on security.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, justice and the protection of human dignity, CAN called on Nigerians, regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation, to work together in addressing what it described as a collective national emergency.
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