CAN Confirms Escalating Attacks on Christians in Nigeria, Warns of Growing Crisis Amid Global Outcry

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has raised alarm over what it described as the escalating attacks, killings, and persecution of Christians across several parts of the country, warning that the situation has reached a deeply troubling level. In a statement titled *“Christian Genocide — CAN Clarifies Position,”* signed by its National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association condemned the continuous targeting of Christian communities and the slow response of authorities.

CAN said many Christian communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, have suffered devastating attacks resulting in loss of life, displacement, and the destruction of places of worship. It urged the government and security agencies to take urgent and transparent measures to end the killings and ensure justice for victims.

“Many Christian communities have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of places of worship,” the statement read. “These realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region.”

Archbishop Okoh explained that CAN has consistently engaged in advocacy to draw attention to what it views as systemic persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The association said it has established mechanisms for documenting religiously motivated killings, submitted reports to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and collaborated with global Christian organizations including the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.

Despite these efforts, CAN lamented that the cries of Christian victims are often “met with delay or denial,” warning that the continued failure to address the violence threatens public trust and national unity. The group called for an immediate end to the impunity surrounding such attacks and demanded equal protection for all faith communities.

“The pain of Christian families torn apart by violence must never be treated as mere statistics,” the statement added, while acknowledging some government initiatives to curb insecurity. CAN urged authorities to strengthen protection measures for all citizens and to demonstrate the political will to hold perpetrators accountable.

The association’s warning comes amid a global outcry following statements by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, television host Bill Maher, and Congressman Riley M. Moore, who recently accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians. Moore, in a letter dated October 6, 2025, urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose diplomatic measures on Nigeria, calling it “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” He cited figures alleging over 7,000 Christians killed in 2025 and more than 19,000 churches destroyed since 2009.

The Nigerian government, however, has firmly rejected the accusations. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the claims as “reckless and misleading,” accusing foreign commentators of spreading falsehoods that undermine Nigeria’s efforts against terrorism.

“Nigeria deserves solidarity in its fight against terror — not careless rhetoric that fuels misunderstanding,” Dare said in a post on his official X account.