The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a mandatory three-day national mourning period beginning June 12 over the worsening wave of insecurity across the country. The apex Christian body also called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security to stop ongoing bloodshed.
The urgent resolution forms part of a critical communiqué issued at the end of the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026 held on Tuesday in Abuja. Reports from Vanguard Nigeria reveal that the religious association designated Sunday, June 14, 2026, as “Black Sunday” across all Nigerian churches.
Clergy condemns recurring pacifist rhetoric of officials
The summit expressed profound alarm over escalating mass abductions, terrorist attacks, and the systematic destruction of rural communities in states like Oyo, Borno, and Kogi. The leaders reminded President Bola Tinubu that protecting innocent lives remains the primary constitutional obligation of the state.
“CAN condemns in the strongest terms the barbaric acts of murder, beheading, torture, rape, abduction and forced displacement being perpetrated against innocent citizens,” the communiqué stated. According to analytical reports by PUNCH, the body lambasted senior government officials who continually resort to pacifist rhetoric rather than active intelligence gathering.
The association demanded the immediate, unconditional release of all abducted school children and teachers currently held captive by criminal syndicates. National correspondents at DAILY POST noted that CAN urged political leaders to suspend premature 2027 electioneering campaigns and focus national attention on restoring public confidence.
