The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has voiced its sorrow regarding the violent incident at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where several worshippers were killed and others kidnapped during a prayer service. According to a statement released by CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the assault on peaceful congregants highlights the increasing insecurity faced by Christian groups across the nation. CAN stated that they stand with the affected families, the injured, the abducted, and the entire Eruku community in their suffering, emphasizing that their pain is a shared burden that no faith community should have to bear.
CAN noted its serious concern that the Eruku attack is part of a recurring pattern of violence against Christian populations in vulnerable areas, a matter the association has repeatedly brought to the attention of government and international bodies. Despite official statements often dismissing concerns of targeted violence, the high frequency and severity of these attacks continue to cause justified national and worldwide worry.
The organization is calling upon security forces to act quickly to rescue those abducted and ensure the attackers face justice. They stressed that a thorough and open investigation is necessary to understand how the attack occurred, identify any security weaknesses, and rebuild public trust. Furthermore, the affected families require immediate medical, emotional, and financial assistance.
CAN underscored the critical need for improved security measures for places of worship, particularly in areas frequently exposed to threats. This tragic event, they added, emphasizes the necessity for a durable national security plan capable of tackling terrorism, banditry, and other violent extremism to guarantee the safety and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of their religion. Finally, CAN appealed to religious, traditional, and community leaders to help maintain calm and prevent any retaliatory actions, insisting that the collective goal must be justice, recovery, and peace achieved through legal and constructive means. CAN committed to monitoring the situation and collaborating with authorities and partners to ensure the victims receive justice and that Christian communities in Nigeria are better protected.
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