Insecurity: State of the Nation Worries Church Leaders

• Warns against the continuous assault on human life
• Demands the comprehensive compensation, rehabilitation, resettlement programme for victims of terrorism, kidnapping, violent attacks
• Demands joint action in Holding Govt Accountable in ensuring sustained commitment to securing lives and property

Our Reporter

Distressed by the current state of the nation, Christian leaders have advocated for a review of Nigeria’s security architecture, enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime.

The leaders made this known in a communiqué issued at the end of their 2026 summit, organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), with the theme “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward.”

In the communique signed by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the church leaders disclosed that the summit was organized following “unprecedented wave of violence sweeping across the country,” stating that communities are “under attack, citizens are kidnapped from their homes and places of work, travellers are abducted on highways, farmers are driven from their lands, while innocent men, women and children are killed, maimed, displaced and, in some cases, brutally beheaded by criminal and terrorist elements.”

During the Summit attended by leaders of Christian denominations and blocs across CAN, including church administrators, legal practitioners, security experts and Christian leaders from across the six geopolitical zones, The leaders stated that they have noted with deep concern the growing attacks on churches, schools and vulnerable communities, the increasing sophistication of criminal networks, and the apparent inability of existing security arrangements to provide adequate protection for citizens.

On the challenges that led to the summit, the leaders said they observed that thousands of Nigerians remain displaced from their ancestral communities, many families continue to live in fear, and victims of violence often receive little support, justice or compensation.

With particular concern on the challenges facing the church in Nigeria, the spiritual leaders expressed worry over what they termed “deteriorating security situation” across the country, with particular reference to recent incidents of mass abductions, killings and attacks in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, Kogi and other states.

Making reference to the recent abduction of school children and teachers, attacks on farming communities, continued terrorist activities in parts of the North-East, and the spread of kidnapping and violent crime into areas previously considered relatively safe, the leaders bemoaned the loss of countless lives, the destruction of livelihoods, the displacement of communities and the deep trauma inflicted on victims and their families.

Warning that the continuous assault on human life, freedom and dignity poses a serious threat to national stability, unity and development, they also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation across the country and cited recent incidents of mass abductions, killings, and attacks in Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, Kogi and other states previously considered relatively safe.

The church leaders demanded the “immediate and unconditional release of all abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens” currently being held captive by criminal elements across the country.

While advocating for the safe return, protection and resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral communities under adequate security guarantees, the leaders also demanded for the establishment of a comprehensive compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement programme for victims of terrorism, kidnapping and violent attacks especially families who have lost loved ones, persons who have suffered permanent injuries, emphasizing that communities whose homes, schools, churches and livelihoods have been destroyed deserve justice, support and restoration.

Describing as “barbaric” the murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement being perpetrated against innocent Nigerians, the Church leaders reminded the Federal Government that the protection of lives and property remains its foremost constitutional responsibility and called for the declaration of a State of Emergency on Security across the country.

They also called for the “acceleration of constitutional and legislative processes leading to the establishment of State Police and other lawful decentralised security structures capable of improving intelligence gathering, rapid response and local accountability.”

“CAN reminds the Federal Government that the protection of lives and property remains its foremost constitutional responsibility and demanded urgent, decisive and measurable action to halt the bloodshed and restore public confidence.

“CAN urges stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, civil society groups and local communities to confront the growing threats to national peace and stability.

They also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), student bodies, civil society organisations, professional associations, traditional institutions and other people of goodwill to join hands in holding government accountable and ensuring a sustained commitment to securing lives and property.

While reaffirming their commitment to Christian unity, peace, justice and the defence of human dignity, the leaders also called on Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation, to unite in defence of human life, national security and the common good, by recognising that the current security crisis constitutes a collective national emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action.

Please follow and like us:

20