The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, on Wednesday declared that the country is passing through “one of the most dangerous periods in its national history,” with rampant banditry, kidnapping, and violent extremism now threatening the very existence of the Nigerian state.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) quarterly meeting in Abuja, the CAN leader painted a grim picture: innocent lives lost daily, communities abandoned, farmers trapped in their homes, investors fleeing, and places of worship turned into killing fields.
“Citizens are increasingly anxious about their safety at home, on farms, on highways, and even in places of worship,” Archbishop Okoh told a packed hall at Barcelona Hotel, Wuse II. “This is alarming and heartbreaking.”
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to overhaul the security architecture, Okoh warned that current measures are falling short of restoring public confidence.
“The daily carnage has become unbearable. The economy is bleeding, poverty is exploding, and frustration is boiling over,” he said.
Turning to faith leaders, the CAN President described churches and mosques as “the most trusted and far-reaching structures in Nigeria” and urged government at all levels to forge deeper, practical partnerships with NIREC and religious bodies to mobilise communities, fight misinformation, and restore calm.
“Peace without justice is impossible,” he stressed, demanding swift accountability for perpetrators and sponsors of violence, rehabilitation for victims, and equal protection under the rule of law for every Nigerian.
Archbishop Okoh praised Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for his steadfast support of NIREC, and paid tribute to former SGF Boss Mustapha for his enduring commitment to interfaith harmony.
He ended with a rallying cry: “Let us pray harder, but also act bolder. Nigeria can still be saved — but only if government and faith communities walk hand-in-hand, today, not tomorrow.”
As the NIREC meeting continues behind closed doors, one message from the CAN President rings loud and clear: Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads — and time is running out.
