The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh on Tuesday affirmed there was “Christian genocide in Nigeria,” warning that the continued inaction of authorities threatens to escalate the crisis into an even greater national tragedy.
Speaking at the opening of CAN’s Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council Meeting in Jos, Plateau State, Okoh said the scale, frequency, and pattern of attacks on Christian communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt leave no room for ambiguity.
Citing years of killings, mass displacement, destruction of churches, and targeted assaults that have left thousands dead and entire villages wiped out, he said It would be “It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired.
“Lives brutally cut short, at 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 Archbishop noted that the gathering of top Christian leaders from across the country in Jos was deliberate and an act of solidarity with the communities affected by persistent onslaughts of terror.
“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.”
The CAN President recalled his recent visit to Bokkos, where he met displaced Christians whose homes and communities had been destroyed. The scars, he said, remain deep, but the faith of survivors remains unbroken.
“We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you,” he said.
Okoh who lamented that despite the sacrifices of security agencies, killings and kidnappings have continued unabated, regretted that many perpetrators roam free while victims have neither received justice nor compensation.
Although he expressed sadness that Nigeria was drawing global attention for violent attacks on Christians, Okoh said such attention was necessary if it helps to spur decisive action.
“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.”
CAN called on the Federal Government to urgently halt the violence and ensure the safe return of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. Prolonged displacement, Okoh warned, was “a painful indictment on our national conscience.
“No individual should ever be persecuted or killed on account of their faith..If not addressed, this humanitarian crisis may escalate into something far more devastating. God forbid!”
Despite the gravity of the crisis, Okoh encouraged Christian leaders to remain hopeful, united, and courageous. He said the challenges of the moment demand a collective and coordinated response from the Christian community.
“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.
“Yet, even in the midst of grief, we remain a people of hope. Our God has not abandoned us. This darkness shall not overcome the light of Christ. I urge all leaders to remain steadfast, prayerful, and courageous.”
