Nigeria’s Christian Body CAN Intensifies Call for Global Action on Nigeria’s Christian Persecution.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a stark warning, stating that the persistent violence against Christian communities now amounts to a “systematic genocide.”
The nation’s foremost Christian body is now making a desperate appeal to the international community, arguing that national efforts have failed to stem the bloodshed.
The declaration was made in a strongly-worded statement released on Wednesday by CAN’s President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh. The association detailed a pattern of “religiously motivated killings,” displacement, and the destruction of places of worship, primarily in the northern regions, which it says paints a clear picture of targeted persecution.
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“For years, we have cried out for justice and protection, but these cries are too often met with delay or denial,” the statement read, capturing a sense of frustration and grief. “The continued silence or inaction of relevant authorities has deepened the suffering of victims and emboldened attackers.”
CAN outlined its extensive, yet seemingly fruitless, efforts to draw attention to the crisis. The group revealed it has established mechanisms to document incidents, engaged with international partners, and even written to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. It has also collaborated with global Christian organizations like the World Evangelical Alliance to highlight the plight of Nigerian Christians.
“We therefore renew our call on government and security agencies to take urgent, transparent, and equitable action to end the killings,” the statement urged, insisting that the pain of affected families “must never be treated as mere statistics.”
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While acknowledging ongoing government initiatives to tackle the nation’s widespread insecurity, CAN pressed for these efforts to be “intensified and carried out without bias” to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of faith.
The body’s plea for international intervention comes at a time when Nigeria is facing heightened scrutiny from abroad. The statement aligns with recent, explosive comments from United States Senator Ted Cruz.
In a recent interview, Senator Cruz accused Nigerian authorities of orchestrating a genocide against Christians, claiming that over 52,000 Christians have been killed and more than 20,000 churches destroyed since 2009. To back his claims, he announced the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act in the US Senate, a bill seeking sanctions against officials deemed complicit in the persecution.
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CAN’s statement concludes with a somber reflection on the path forward for Nigeria. “Nigeria’s healing will not come from denial or blame, but from courage — the courage to face our collective failures, to grieve together, and to rebuild trust,” it stated.
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The call leaves the world with a pressing question: will this latest alarm, coupled with growing international pressure, spur decisive action, or will it become another footnote in a long-running tragedy?
