The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has again declared that what it describes as “Christian genocide” is taking place in the country, urging the Federal Government and the international community to act urgently to stop the continued killings, kidnappings, and displacement of Christian communities, especially in the North and Middle Belt.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the statement on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the association’s Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Jos, Plateau State. The meeting brought together Christian leaders from across the country to review the security situation, discuss national issues, and chart a course for the coming year.
Speaking at the event, Okoh said CAN’s choice of Jos as the meeting venue was deliberate, describing the city as “a land that has wept bitterly, prayed fervently, and yet continues to rise with a steadfast faith that defies the darkness around it.” Jos has experienced deadly crises over the years, with clashes between farmers and herders, attacks on rural communities, and long-standing ethnic and religious tensions that have claimed thousands of lives.
The Archbishop thanked Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for hosting the meeting, commending him for his leadership. “Our presence in Jos is not accidental. It is intentional, purposeful, and deeply symbolic. We are here as ambassadors of solidarity, compassion, and moral support,” Okoh said.
He added that it would be “a grave injustice” to deny the reality of the violence that communities in Plateau and other parts of northern Nigeria have endured. “Lives have been brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered,” he said.
The CAN President said the association stands firmly by its earlier position that Christians in several parts of the country are facing what it considers a form of genocide. “CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria,” Okoh declared.
He recalled his recent visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, where renewed violence has forced many communities to flee their homes. “The scars we saw were deep; yet, the faith we encountered was stronger still,” he said. “You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you.”
According to him, CAN’s role requires it to speak against injustice and violence, even when such statements attract criticism. He said silence in the face of continued killings and displacement would be irresponsible and contrary to Christian teachings.
Okoh noted that the ongoing attacks on Christian communities have drawn the attention of the international community. He said that although it is painful for Nigeria to be in the global spotlight for such violence, international attention may help push the government to take stronger 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,” he said.
Several global human rights organisations have in recent years raised concerns about religiously targeted attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt, where hundreds of communities have been destroyed by armed groups. Reports by groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Christian Solidarity International have documented patterns of attacks that suggest ethnic and religious motivations.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigeria’s security agencies, Okoh said the killings and kidnappings have not stopped. He urged the Federal Government to take stronger steps to protect vulnerable communities.
“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.
He stressed that no one in Nigeria should be killed because of their faith, and called on the government to begin the process of returning displaced persons to their ancestral homes. Many IDPs in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Niger states have spent years living in camps with little hope of returning home due to continued insecurity.
Describing the situation of IDPs as “a painful indictment on our national conscience,” Okoh warned that failing to address the crisis could result in an even bigger humanitarian emergency. “If not addressed, this humanitarian crisis may escalate into something far more devastating. God forbid,” he said.
Okoh urged Christian leaders across different denominations to work together during what he described as a difficult period for Christian communities. He said unity is essential in responding to the challenges facing the country.
“These challenging times demand sincerity, courage, unity, and wisdom,” he said. “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.”
He also encouraged church leaders to continue comforting and guiding their congregations, especially those directly affected by violence. “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,” he said.
Okoh urged the leaders to remain steadfast and prayerful. “Continue to strengthen the flock entrusted to your care. Continue to sow seeds of hope, even in the soil of sorrow. In God’s time, the dawn shall break, and His light will shine upon our land once again,” he said.
The Middle Belt, which includes Plateau, Benue, and parts of Kaduna and Niger, has for years been a flashpoint of conflict. Attacks by armed groups—sometimes described as bandits, terrorists, or militias—have led to thousands of deaths and the destruction of many farming communities. Analysts often cite competition over land, climate change, ethnic tensions, and weak security presence as major drivers of the crisis.
In Plateau State, recurring clashes have displaced tens of thousands of people. Communities such as Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi have repeatedly suffered attacks, with many residents fleeing their homes.
CAN’s renewed warning adds to a growing chorus of concerns from community groups, human rights organisations, and religious leaders who say more must be done to prevent further loss of life.
