CAN declares June 14 ‘Black Sunday’, demands state of emergency on insecurity

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Sunday, June 14, 2026, as a nationwide “Black Sunday” in memory of victims of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that have claimed thousands of lives across the country.

The declaration was part of resolutions reached at the National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026, where church leaders expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria and called for urgent government action.

CAN also announced a three-day national prayer programme scheduled to hold from June 12 to June 14, urging Christians across the country to participate in prayers for peace, security and national healing.

Speaking after the summit, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said while prayer remains an important spiritual response to the nation’s challenges, it must be complemented by decisive and practical measures from government and security agencies.

According to him, Nigeria’s security crisis has reached a critical stage and requires immediate intervention to protect lives and property. He stressed that the growing wave of terrorism, kidnappings, killings and violent attacks in several parts of the country has left many communities devastated and citizens living in fear.

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Okoh called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, arguing that the scale of the crisis demands extraordinary measures and a coordinated national response.

The CAN president also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, saying the current centralized security structure has proven inadequate in addressing local security threats across the federation. He advocated the decentralisation of Nigeria’s security architecture to enable quicker intelligence gathering, faster responses to attacks and improved community policing.

He maintained that empowering states to participate more actively in security management would strengthen efforts to combat criminal activities and restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions.

Beyond structural reforms, Okoh demanded the unconditional release of all persons currently held captive by kidnappers and other criminal groups. He urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure that perpetrators of violence are arrested and prosecuted.

The Christian leader further called for justice for victims and affected families, noting that accountability remains essential to ending the cycle of violence and preventing future attacks.

The planned “Black Sunday” observance is expected to see churches across Nigeria hold special services, prayers and remembrance activities in honour of those who have lost their lives to insecurity, while also drawing national attention to the urgent need for lasting solutions to the country’s security challenges.

CAN reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at promoting peace, unity and national stability, while urging government authorities to take concrete steps to safeguard citizens and restore confidence in the nation’s security system.