CAN Declares Three-Day Mourning, Sets ‘Black Sunday’ in Protest Over Insecurity
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced a three-day period of national mourning and designated June 14, 2026, as “Black Sunday” in response to the rising wave of insecurity across the country.
The decision was reached at the National Church Denominational Leaders Summit held in Abuja, where leaders representing CAN’s five blocs expressed deep concern over increasing cases of killings, kidnappings, terrorist incidents, and forced displacement in several parts of Nigeria.
According to the resolution, the mourning period will run from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14, with churches nationwide expected to observe Black Sunday in solidarity with victims of violence and affected families.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, while presenting the communiqué, said church leaders were alarmed by the worsening security situation and called on the Federal Government to consider declaring a state of emergency on security.
The summit also encouraged churches to expand humanitarian response efforts, including support for victims of attacks, displaced persons, and vulnerable communities through relief materials, trauma counselling, and peacebuilding initiatives.
On the issue of self-protection, the leaders stated that citizens should be allowed to defend themselves within legal boundaries, citing growing concerns over the inability of security agencies to adequately protect lives and property.
The communiqué referenced recent violent incidents recorded in states such as Oyo, Ogun, Borno, Kwara, and Kogi, warning that continued attacks threaten national stability and development.
CAN demanded the immediate release of abducted students, teachers, and other citizens still in captivity, while urging security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue victims and dismantle criminal networks.
The organisation also renewed its call for the creation of state police and other decentralised security arrangements, arguing that such reforms would improve intelligence gathering and response time.
It further urged a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security framework, improved coordination among security agencies, and stronger operational strategies to combat terrorism, banditry, and violent crime.
The summit criticised what it described as an insufficient response from authorities to ongoing security challenges, warning that attention appears to be shifting away from urgent security concerns despite continued attacks on communities.
CAN called on civil society organisations, labour unions, traditional rulers, and professional bodies to join in demanding stronger accountability and action from government on security matters.
The meeting concluded with a commitment by Christian leaders to continue advocacy, prayers, and engagement aimed at promoting peace, justice, and national stability.
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