The CAN president noted that the pattern of violence “points unmistakably to a Christian genocide.’’
The Christian Association of Nigeria has said attacks on Christian communities in the North including the Middle Belt have left thousands of people dead, countless widowed and orphaned, and entire villages levelled without justice or closure for victims.
The CAN President, Daniel Okoh, made the remarks on Tuesday at the opening of the Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association held in Jos, Plateau State.
His comments followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) – a move he said followed years of global appeals over the “mass slaughter” of Christians.
Mr Trump further warned that America could halt aid to Nigeria and deploy military forces if the alleged persecution of Christians persisted, saying believers in the country face an “existential threat” from radical Islamists.
Addressing the NEC, Mr Okoh said Christian communities in several regions – particularly Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt – have come under sustained, coordinated assaults resulting in mass killings, destruction of churches, razing of villages, and widespread kidnappings.
He said, “Across many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have experienced repeated, coordinated, and clearly targeted attacks. These horrors have left thousands of people dead, countless widowed and orphaned, and entire villages levelled without justice or closure.’’
He added that the pattern of violence “points unmistakably to a Christian genocide,” adding that the atrocities committed against Christian populations “cannot be denied, diluted, or forgotten.”
Mr Okoh lamented that despite years of advocacy, many victims remain stranded in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps with no compensation or resettlement plan, while perpetrators continue to evade accountability.
Recalling a recent visit to Bokkos, Plateau State, where he met with displaced individuals, the CAN president described the traumatising impact of the attacks as “heartbreaking,” stating that the faith of survivors remained amid overwhelming loss.
He reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to advocating justice and protection for all Nigerians regardless of faith, noting that defending persecuted Christians remained central to the association’s mission.
“Silence in the face of injustice is unbiblical. Whenever a Christian is afflicted, we are duty-bound to respond. This responsibility we shall never abdicate,” Mr Okoh stated.
Mr Okoh also welcomed growing international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges. expressing the hope that global pressure could force a stronger government response.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of security agencies, he insisted that the existing security framework had failed to stop mass displacements and killings.
The CAN president also called for urgent intervention from both the federal and state authorities, including humanitarian support from the international community, to protect vulnerable communities and address the worsening crisis.
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The CAN president noted that the pattern of violence “points unmistakably to a Christian genocide.’’
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