CAN Reasserts Claims of Christian Genocide in Northern Nigeria, Middle Belt

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has renewed its warnings about what it describes as a sustained and targeted campaign of violence against Christian communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the declaration on Monday at the opening of the association’s Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council meeting in Jos, Plateau State. He said the scale of killings, displacements and destruction of settlements could no longer be downplayed.

“It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired,” Okoh said. “Lives have been brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered. CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria.”

Okoh recalled his recent visit to Bokkos, where thousands of displaced Christians remain in temporary camps after waves of violent attacks. He said the scars, both physical and emotional, underscored the depth of the crisis, even as survivors continue to show remarkable resilience.

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The CAN president criticised the continued absence of justice for devastated communities, warning that attackers remain free while victims lack compensation, resettlement plans and adequate protection.

He described the growing population of internally displaced persons as a “ticking time bomb,” stressing that prolonged displacement threatens stability across several states.

Okoh added that while international attention is welcome, it must translate into concrete action from Nigerian authorities aimed at restoring security and ensuring accountability.

Representing the Plateau State government, Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo commended CAN for its sustained advocacy. She described the church as a crucial partner in rebuilding trust and restoring peace in affected areas.

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“Nigeria needs the church now more than ever,” she said.