The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the federal government to urgently declare a state of emergency on security to safeguard lives and property across the country.
The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026.
The summit, themed:“The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” brought together senior church leaders and delegates to review Nigeria’s security and socio-economic challenges.
Okoh said the call was not intended as a challenge to the administration of President Bola Tinubu but a reminder of the government’s constitutional duty to protect citizens.
“We are talking to a government that still has a level of responsibility, and so they will listen. We hope that when they listen, they will do the needful,” he said.
“It has come to that point where the government will have to declare a state of emergency on security,” he added.
Responding to questions on self-defence, the CAN President said while self-preservation is a natural instinct, any action taken must remain within the ambit of the law.
“It is a natural human instinct for one to defend himself,” he said.
“But what we are saying in CAN is that people and churches should be able to defend themselves, their properties, and their homes within reasonable legal limits,” he added.
Okoh said the association would continue to engage the government through media platforms and diplomatic channels to push for improved security nationwide.
He noted that the summit marked the beginning of broader strategic engagements aimed at promoting peace and safety in the country.
The CAN president also observed that insecurity, which was initially concentrated in parts of the North and North-Central, was now spreading to other regions of the country.
He expressed support for international collaboration to address insecurity, including cooperation between Nigeria and foreign partners where necessary.
“If you are overwhelmed and people are coming to help you, you will not say no,” he said.
“Our position has not changed. If it takes other countries coming to help us out of this situation, so be it,” he added.
