The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency regarding the country's security crisis. The apex Christian body expressed grave concern over the relentless wave of killings, abductions, terrorist activities, and the displacement of local communities nationwide

This urgent appeal was part of a communiqué issued following the National Church Denominational Leaders’ Summit held on Tuesday at the National Christian Centre in Abuja. Themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” the summit highlighted deep anxieties over escalating violence, economic distress, and a diminishing trust in public institutions.

​Key Takeaway from the Communiqué:

Church leaders noted that thousands of citizens have been driven from their ancestral lands, leaving countless families living in constant terror due to unchecked criminal activities.

​Key Grievances and Demands

​The summit specifically highlighted a worrying surge in mass kidnappings, murders, and raids across various states, including Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Benue, and Kogi. The body expressed profound concern over the targeting of schools and agricultural communities, noting that violence is rapidly spreading into areas previously deemed safe.

​To combat the crisis, CAN has proposed the following measures:

• ​Security Restructuring: An immediate overhaul of the nation’s security architecture, featuring enhanced intelligence collection, better inter-agency collaboration, and stricter accountability.
• ​Decentralized Policing: Rapid legislative action to establish state police forces and other localized security frameworks to boost emergency response times.
• ​Immediate Rescues: The safe and unconditional release of all captive citizens, specifically abducted school children and educators.

​Days of Mourning Declared

​In a symbolic protest and show of solidarity with affected families, CAN has declared a three-day period of national mourning:

• ​Commencement: Friday, June 12, 2026.
• ​Conclusion: Sunday, June 14, 2026.
• ​Black Sunday: Sunday, June 14, has been designated as "Black Sunday" across all Nigerian churches to honor victims of violent crime.

​Furthermore, CAN called on major civic groups—including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), student organizations, and traditional institutions—to collectively demand government accountability in protecting lives and property.

​Context: The Catalyst for Outrage

​The association’s declaration follows recent high-profile attacks on educational institutions.

​On May 15, armed bandits raided three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, kidnapping 39 students and 7 faculty members. A school employee was killed during the assault, and a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later reportedly decapitated by the captors.

​In response to the Oyo incident:

• ​President Bola Tinubu authorized the deployment of 1,000 forest guards.
• ​Governor Seyi Makinde and federal officials visited the community to reassure residents.
• ​Oyo State teachers launched an indefinite strike, supported by nationwide solidarity protests by the NUT.

​On the exact same day, another mass abduction occurred in Borno State, where 42 students were taken from the Askira-Uba Local Government Area, fueling intense national anxiety over the resurgence of school raids.