BREAKING: CAN Confirms Rising Attacks, Killings Of Christians In Nigeria Amid ‘Christian Genocide’ Outcry
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep concern over the persistent violence and insecurity affecting Christians in several parts of the country, especially in the North, saying many communities have suffered “severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of places of worship.”
In a press release issued on Wednesday, CAN said the scale of killings and displacement facing Christians had reached alarming proportions and demanded urgent, transparent action from the government and security agencies.
The statement, titled “Christian Genocide — CAN Clarifies Position,” and signed by its National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, condemned the continuous targeting of Christian communities and the slow response of authorities.
“CAN affirms, without hesitation, that many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship,” the statement read.
“These realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region.”
According to the statement, the association has, over the years, engaged in several advocacy efforts to draw both national and international attention to what it described as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“The Association has established mechanisms for recording incidents of religiously motivated killings, engaged with international partners, written to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and hosted global Christian organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement,” CAN said.
Despite these efforts, the body lamented that the cries for justice are “too often met with delay or denial,” warning that the failure to protect vulnerable Christian communities risks further eroding public trust and national unity.
CAN called for an immediate end to what it described as years of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of religiously motivated violence.
“We therefore renew our call on government and security agencies to take urgent, transparent, and equitable action to end the killings, safeguard vulnerable Christian communities from displacement, and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” the statement continued.
“The pain of Christian families torn apart by violence must never be treated as mere statistics.”
While acknowledging some efforts by the government to curb insecurity, the association urged authorities to intensify protection measures across all faiths and regions.
“Nigeria’s healing will not come from denial or blame, but from courage — the courage to face our collective failures, to grieve together, and to rebuild trust within our communities,” Archbishop Okoh said.
Global Campaign Against Alleged Christian Genocide
The statement comes amid rising controversies surrounding recent claims by United States Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher, suggesting that Christian worshippers were solely targeted and killed in Nigeria.
Also, U.S. lawmaker, Riley M. Moore, recently called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take decisive diplomatic action against the Nigerian government over what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in the country.
In a letter dated October 6, 2025, and addressed to Rubio, who currently serves as U.S. Secretary of State, Moore said Nigeria has become the “deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” urging the U.S. to “use all diplomatic tools available”, including halting arms sales to Nigeria and redesignating it as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act.
“I write to urge you to take immediate action to address the systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in Nigeria. As a Christian nation founded upon biblical principles, the United States bears a unique obligation to stand for the freedom and protection of Christians worldwide,” the letter read.
“Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, and the United States cannot stand idly by. I urge you to use all diplomatic tools available, including designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and halting arms sales and all associated technical support until the Nigerian government demonstrates it is sufficiently committed to ending this reign of persecution and slaughter.”
The Congressman cited chilling statistics, claiming that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, an average of 35 murders per day.
He further referenced reports that at least 19,100 churches have been attacked or destroyed since 2009, while more than 15 million Nigerians have been displaced due to extremist violence.
Tinubu Administration Denies ‘Christian Genocide’
However, the Nigerian government has denied the allegations of targeted attacks and the killing of Christians.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Wednesday, lashed out at Ted Cruz and Bill Maher over what he described as “reckless and misleading” comments about Nigeria.
The presidential aide accused them of spreading falsehoods that embolden extremists and misrepresent the country’s fight against terrorism.
Dare, a former journalist, said both Cruz and Maher should “engage with the facts before amplifying falsehoods that malign an entire nation.”
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, the ex-minister insisted that Nigeria deserves global solidarity in its battle against terror.
“Senator Ted Cruz and Bill Maher et al would do well to engage with the facts before amplifying falsehoods that embolden extremists and malign an entire nation. Nigeria deserves solidarity in its fight against terror — not careless rhetoric that fuels misunderstanding,” he said.
