The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared Sunday, June 14, 2026, as “Black Sunday” in honour of victims of terrorist attacks and other violent incidents across the country.
The association also announced a three-day nationwide prayer programme scheduled to hold from June 12 to June 14 as part of efforts to seek divine intervention over the worsening security situation.
Speaking at the conclusion of the National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026, the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed concern over the persistent wave of insecurity, stressing that prayers alone would not be sufficient to address the challenge.
According to him, while spiritual support remains important, authorities must take decisive and practical steps to end the bloodshed and restore confidence among citizens.
Okoh urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, saying the measure had become necessary to confront the escalating threats posed by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers across the country.
The CAN president also renewed calls for the establishment of state police and the decentralisation of the nation’s security architecture, arguing that such reforms would enable faster and more effective responses to security threats at the grassroots level.
He further demanded the unconditional release of all kidnapped persons being held by criminal groups and called for justice to be served in cases involving victims of abductions and violent attacks.
The Christian body maintained that urgent and coordinated action by relevant authorities was needed to stem the tide of insecurity and safeguard lives and property nationwide.