LeadersNG reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has clarified its position on reports alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, stating that while numerous Christian communities have suffered violent attacks, its advocacy remains anchored on justice, peace, and truth.
The clarification was contained in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh. The statement followed recent remarks by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who accused Nigerian authorities of complicity in what he termed “systematic religious persecution.”
CAN Responds to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s Allegations
Senator Cruz, in an interview with Fox News Digital, alleged that over 52,000 Christians had been killed in Nigeria since 2009, and more than 20,000 churches and schools destroyed. He also announced plans to introduce a bill — the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act — which seeks sanctions against officials allegedly complicit in religious persecution.
Responding, Archbishop Okoh said CAN had followed “recent conversations about faith and violence in Nigeria with deep concern.” He acknowledged that many Christian communities, especially in Northern Nigeria, had experienced severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of worship centers.
“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. These realities remind us of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen,” Okoh stated.
Advocacy Guided by Peace and Justice — CAN
The Bureau News gathered that Archbishop Okoh emphasized CAN’s longstanding commitment to peaceful advocacy rather than inflammatory rhetoric. “Our concern has always been to seek justice and protection, not to inflame division or hatred,” he said.
He listed CAN’s advocacy efforts to include mechanisms for documenting religiously motivated killings, correspondence with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, and engagement with international Christian organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.
Despite these initiatives, CAN lamented that many of its calls for protection had been ignored or delayed, urging the Federal Government to take “urgent, transparent, and equitable action” to end the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
Call for National Healing and Equal Protection
Okoh further appealed to the government and security agencies to ensure equitable protection for all Nigerians, stressing that peace remains too fragile to be taken for granted. He also urged Christian leaders to act with wisdom, unity, and faith in this period of national uncertainty.
“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. Only then can our nation rise from its wounds and embrace a future of genuine peace,” Okoh concluded.