The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has demanded urgent action from security agencies following a deadly attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, where gunmen reportedly killed a pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, condemned the incident, describing it as a “heinous act” and a direct assault on human dignity and the sanctity of life.
He said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria has received with deep shock and grave concern reports of the attack. This is deeply disturbing, to say the least.
“People had gathered peacefully to worship God, and they were met with violence. This is not just an attack on a church; it is a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life.”
The apex Christian body expressed solidarity with the victims and the bereaved family of the slain cleric, while calling for the immediate and safe release of those abducted.
“We mourn with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims… Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release.”
Okoh linked the incident to what he described as a troubling trend of insecurity, citing a recent attack in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, where gunmen abducted residents, including clergy and their families.
“These repeated incidents underscore a deepening security crisis that can no longer be ignored,” he said.
The association warned that the continued targeting of worshippers and rural communities raises serious concerns about public safety, stressing that places of worship must not become “hunting grounds for criminals.”
Calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to act decisively, CAN emphasised that protecting lives and property remains the government’s primary responsibility.
“We must be unequivocal: the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. We call on the authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently. Those responsible for this atrocity must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay.*
He also urged authorities to strengthen security presence in vulnerable areas and adopt proactive intelligence measures to forestall further attacks.
“We also urge the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks.”
CAN further cautioned against what it described as the growing normalisation of violence against worshippers and innocent citizens saying, “Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge.”