The declaration was made at the end of the National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Sunday, June 14, 2026, as a “Black Sunday” to mourn victims of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent attacks across the country.
The umbrella Christian body also announced a three-day period of national prayer and reflection from June 12 to June 14, calling on churches nationwide to seek divine intervention for peace and security in Nigeria.
The declaration was made at the end of the National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026, where CAN expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation and the continued loss of lives in many parts of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the association, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said while prayers remain important, they must be complemented by decisive government action to address the persistent insecurity confronting the nation.
He urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, arguing that the scale of the crisis requires urgent and extraordinary measures to protect citizens and restore public confidence.
According to him, the continued attacks on communities, abductions and killings have reached alarming proportions and demand a coordinated national response.
CAN also renewed its call for the establishment of state police and the decentralisation of the country’s security architecture, saying such reforms would enable quicker responses to threats and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.
The association further demanded the unconditional release of all kidnapped persons across the country and called for justice to be served against perpetrators of violent crimes.
It appealed to political leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders to work together to end the wave of insecurity and safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
CAN said the planned Black Sunday observance would serve as a solemn reminder of the thousands of lives lost to violence and a call for urgent action to secure the nation.
