Christian Association of Nigeria Calling on Global Christian Community to React Regarding Christian Persecution
Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, is sounding the alarm regarding an increase in Christian persecution in Nigeria. He has referred to these on-going attacks as, “a grave injustice that has gone on for far too long,” adding that compensation, justice and significant protection are sorely missing.
“What we are witnessing is the systematic destruction of Christian lives and livelihoods,” Archbishop Okoh told the Christian Newswire. “The Church must not be silent. We must raise our voices, stand in prayer, and act in unity against this evil.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is an interdenominational Christian organization. It’s also one of the largest in the world. It represents one hundred million Christians and is declaring the persecution taking place in Nigeria to be a humanitarian and moral emergency.
CAN Calls on Global Christian Community to Act, Especially America
CAN has been calling out to the global Christian community to speak out on behalf of the Nigerian Christians and stand with them in prayer, especially Christians in America.
Last year, President Trump made a declaration that Nigeria is a Country of Particular concern.
“USCIRF applauds President Trump for speaking out on the religious freedom crisis in Nigeria and making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern,” USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler told USCIRF. “The US Government can now develop a tough plan with Nigeria to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account, people of faith are protected, and those held hostage are rescued.”
The plan to which she referred still hasn’t been made public.
Muslim Terror Group Demands Christians Must Leave North Nigeria
Back in 2012, the Muslim terror group Boko Haram made a public demand that Christians must leave the northern part of Nigeria, which is an area that has a Muslim majority. Since that time, there has been an increase in attacks on Christians and murders of Christians throughout the country, according to Rome Reports.
The Nigerian government tends to deny the attacks while the people cry out about incidences of family and friends being tortured, hacked, burned to death, and more.
In an interview with EWTN News, ADF International’s Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom Sean Nelson said he believes the Nigerian government denies the attacks for political reasons. Nigeria is roughly half Muslim and half Christian, with Muslims dominating the north, and some extremist groups in the north have been there for about 25 years.
It’s sobering to consider that estimates for the number of Nigerian Christians martyred in the past decade range from 25,000 – 30,000. In addition, over 15,000 churches have been destroyed and more than 300,000 Christians have been forced out of their homes because of extremist groups, according to Kamronengler Ministries.
Besides speaking out on behalf of the Christians and standing with them in prayer, CAN is also calling on Christians to support Nigerian Christians and their pastors with resources for studying the Word. One resource in particular that CAN has in mind is the African Study Bible. Donations would allow CAN to provide printing, secure transportation, and direct distribution.
“Our pastors and leaders are standing on the frontlines of faith,” Archbishop Okoh told the Christian Newswire. “They must not stand alone. Equipping them spiritually is an act of resistance and hope.”
For more information about CAN’s Bible project, click here.
Related Article
Christians Remain the Most Persecuted Religious Group Globally, Archishop States
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Omersukrugoksu
Originally published March 18, 2026.
