The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has affirmed that many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of lives, and destruction of places of worship.
CAN said these realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region, religion, or political differences.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement on Wednesday, said the affirmation became necessary following deep concern about the recent conversations surrounding faith, violence, and the true cost of insecurity across the country targeted at Christian communities.
He said: “In moments such as this, when passions rise and interpretations differ, it becomes necessary to speak clearly, truthfully, and with compassion. Over the years, CAN and the wider Christian communities have worked tirelessly to draw attention, both nationally and internationally, to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“The association has established mechanisms for recording incidences of religiously motivated killings, engaged with international partners, written to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, and hosted global Christian organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement. These sustained efforts demonstrate CAN’s consistent advocacy for justice, peace, and the protection of Christian communities under threat.
“Our concern remains that these cries for justice and protection are too often met with delay or denial. We, therefore, renew our call on government and security agencies to take urgent, transparent, and equitable action to end the killings, safeguard vulnerable Christian communities from displacement, and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law. The pain of Christian families torn apart by violence must never be treated as mere statistics.”
CAN President, however, acknowledged the efforts of government and security agencies in responding to the nation’s security challenges but suggested that the efforts be redoubled towards equitable protection for all.
“It is equally imperative that perpetrators of violence are swiftly and transparently brought to justice. We also appeal to all Christian leaders to continue to speak and act with wisdom, unity, and faith, knowing that peace is too fragile to be taken for granted.”
He insisted that Nigeria’s healing would not come from denial or blame but from courage to face the collective failures, to grieve together, and to rebuild trust within the communities. “Only then can our nation rise from its wounds and embrace a future of genuine peace,” he said.
Earlier, the Federal government had dismissed claims that Christians are being killed in Nigeria.
United States Senator Ted Cruz had accused Nigeria’s government of enabling a “massacre” against Christians, citing a rising number of attacks against the community in the country’s troubled centre.
Cruz said he had introduced a bill, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, to the US senate to sanction Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in such acts.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as “ignorant, false and baseless.”
“This is not true. This is not the reflection of what is on the ground. I mean it’s false where you say over 20,000 churches have been burned. It’s also false if you say 52,000 (Christians killed),” Idris said.
“Where did he get those numbers from? I think this is absolutely absurd. It’s not supported by any facts whatsoever. The Nigerian government rejects that.”
Idris stated that no Nigerian official or institution supports or colludes with violent extremists in any form.
“No Nigerian officials will willingly, deliberately indulge in the act of siding with violent extremists to target any particular religion in this country. This is absolutely false.”
CAN’s statement on Wednesday apparently countered the Federal government’ rebuttal.