The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has reaffirmed the Association’s position that Christians in Nigeria are facing genocide, calling on the Federal Government and the international community to take urgent and decisive action to protect vulnerable communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
Okoh made the remarks on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the fourth quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of CAN held at Crispan Hotel in Jos, Plateau State. The event drew clerics from across the country and was attended by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Ngo Josephine Piyo, who represented Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Speaking with deep emotion, the CAN President said the Christian community will not remain silent in the face of “repeated, coordinated, and clearly targeted attacks” against Christians, describing the pattern of violence as genocide.
“It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired. lives brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered,” Okoh stated. “CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria,” he stated.
He emphasised that thousands have been killed, many widowed and orphaned, and communities completely destroyed without justice or compensation, while attackers remain unpunished. He noted that although regrettable, growing international concern may help spur action.
“Although we are pained that Nigeria is being spotlighted for such grievous reasons, 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.
Archbishop Okoh assured affected communities that they are not alone.