The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security, citing the growing wave of killings, kidnappings, terrorist activities and attacks on communities across the country.
The demand was among the key resolutions adopted at the National Church Denominational Leaders’ Summit held on Tuesday at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
In a communiqué issued after the gathering, which was themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” church leaders voiced concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation, economic challenges and the declining confidence of citizens in public institutions.
According to the communiqué, thousands of Nigerians have been forced to flee their homes as a result of violence, while many others continue to live under constant fear due to widespread criminal activities.
The summit highlighted recent incidents of kidnappings, killings and attacks recorded in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Benue, Kogi and several other states. It also expressed concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers, attacks on farming settlements and the spread of violent crimes into communities once regarded as relatively secure.
“CAN expresses profound alarm over the escalating violence across Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, abductions, terrorist attacks, and the destruction of communities,” the communiqué stated.
The association condemned what it described as “barbaric acts of murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement” and urged the Federal Government to take urgent, decisive and measurable action to restore public confidence and safeguard lives and property.
CAN further called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security framework, improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater accountability in tackling terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
The association also advocated the speedy conclusion of constitutional and legislative processes aimed at establishing state police and other legally recognised decentralised security structures to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response time and enhance local accountability.
In addition, CAN demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens still being held captive, while urging security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
As part of measures to honour victims of insecurity, the association declared Friday, June 12, 2026, as the beginning of a three-day period of national mourning, which will run until Sunday, June 14.
It also designated June 14 as Black Sunday in churches nationwide to remember victims of violence and show solidarity with families affected by insecurity.
CAN called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Union of Teachers, student groups, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to work together in holding government accountable and ensuring sustained efforts to protect lives and property.
The appeal comes amid heightened concerns over recent mass abductions across the country, including the kidnapping of teachers and pupils in Oyo State.
On May 15, armed bandits attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted 39 pupils alongside seven teachers, including a vice principal.
A school employee was killed during the attack, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, who taught Mathematics, was later reportedly beheaded.
Following the incident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the deployment of 1,000 forest guards, while security agencies stepped up efforts to secure the release of the victims.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and a Federal Government delegation also visited the affected communities and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue those still in captivity.
The attack triggered widespread condemnation, leading teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike, while the Nigeria Union of Teachers organised solidarity protests in different parts of the country.