The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that Christians in the country are facing a “sustained and systematic genocide,” marking one of its strongest and most explicit statements yet on religious violence in Nigeria. The declaration comes amid heightened global attention, U.S. congressional actions, and escalating attacks on Christian communities in several states.
Targeted Attacks Across Multiple States
CAN leaders say Christians are being targeted across multiple flashpoints—southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Borno, and parts of Adamawa. The organisation cited recurring massacres, church killings, abductions of clergy, and destruction of Christian settlements as evidence of a pattern that has gone unchecked for years.
CAN Accuses Government of Downplaying the Crisis
In its latest briefing, CAN accused the Nigerian government of downplaying the scale of the crisis. They say official statements often avoid acknowledging religious dimensions, instead blaming “bandits,” “unknown gunmen,” or “herders.” CAN argues that failing to recognise the religious targeting behind many attacks prevents effective solutions.
Widespread Displacement and Destruction
According to the association, hundreds of Christian communities have been displaced, with thousands of families forced to flee. Entire villages have reportedly been wiped out, and many survivors say their homes were burned because they refused to abandon their faith.
International Attention and U.S. Involvement
CAN also welcomed growing international involvement, including the U.S. Congress’s public inquiry into Christian killings and calls for renewed CPC designation. They insisted that global pressure is necessary because local pleas have been ignored for too long.
Government Rejects Genocide Label
Government officials, however, reject the genocide narrative. The Attorney-General and security agencies insist the violence is driven by criminality, land conflicts, and terrorism—not deliberate religious extermination. They warn that such labels could inflame tensions and undermine national cohesion.
Christian Groups Push Back
Christian groups counter that refusing to name the problem only emboldens attackers. They say the destruction of predominantly Christian villages, targeted killing of pastors, and selective abductions of Christian schoolgirls show a clear pattern that cannot be explained away as random.
Analysts Offer a Balanced Perspective
Security analysts say the truth lies somewhere in the middle: Nigeria’s crisis is multifaceted, but certain communities undeniably face religiously motivated violence. They argue that sensitively acknowledging these realities is the first step toward developing interventions that protect vulnerable populations.
CAN’s Key Demands
CAN is now calling for:
● Establishment of a federal commission on religious violence
● Prosecutorial action against perpetrators
● Better protection for churches and schools
● Community policing
● International support for displaced Christian communities
Rising Tensions and Growing Pressure
As tensions rise and international scrutiny increases, Nigeria’s government faces mounting pressure to provide transparent data, decisive action, and meaningful security reforms.