The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), on Tuesday maintained that the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria should not be denied.
President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said Christian communities across Northern Nigeria and Middle Belt are facing ‘Christian genocide’.
He insisted that CAN will continue to demand justice, accountability and protection for Christians.
Okoh, spoke at the Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of CAN held at Crispan Hotel in Jos, Plateau State capital.
CAN President said the violence, mass displacement and repeated attacks on Christians communities have reached an alarming stage, adding that the situation has received several attention from the international community.
He assured northern Christians and those across the country that they are not forgotten or abandoned.
He said: “Our presence in Jos today is not accidental. It is intentional, purposeful, and deeply symbolic. We are here as ambassadors of solidarity, compassion, and moral support. We are here to identify with our brothers and sisters across Plateau State and Northern Nigeria who have endured years of unspeakable tragedy—persecution, displacement, devastation, and unrelenting insecurity.
“It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired: lives brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered. CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria”.
The CAN president highlighted the plight of displaced Christians, citing a recent visit to Bokkos, where he met with displaced brethren, listened to their stories, prayed with them, and supported them with relief.
Okoh said; “We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you”.
The Christian body called for justice, accountability, and peace, urging the Federal Government and the international community to act decisively to halt the destruction of lives and the displacement of indigenous people, particularly in Christian-dominated communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
The association also appealed to governments to resettle internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes, warning that prolonged stays in IDP camps could escalate into a more devastating humanitarian crisis.
Okoh said; “The enduring support of the Plateau State Government strengthens our collective resolve and bears witness to the long-standing bond between this administration and the Christian community. We encourage His Excellency to continue in this path of service—not only to the Church, but to all the people of Plateau State—so that this blessed land may fully enter into the peace, stability, and prosperity ordained for it. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Plateau will rise again.
“In the recent past, I led a CAN delegation to Bokkos to meet with our displaced brethren, to listen to their stories, to pray with them, and to support them with relief. The scars we saw were deep; yet, the faith we encountered was stronger still. Today, as we gather once again on this sacred soil, we bring with us the prayers, the compassion, and the unwavering solidarity of the entire Nigerian Christian family. We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you.
“CAN has remained a principled, courageous, and consistent advocate for peace, justice, and national unity. Our calling demands that we speak—because silence in the face of injustice is not only irresponsible; it is unbiblical. While we work for the wellbeing of all Nigerians, our immediate constituency—Christians who are being persecuted—remain at the center of our advocacy. 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.
“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”.
He said no individual should ever be persecuted or killed on account of their faith, adding that; “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!”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
