The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, which resulted in the death of a pastor and the abduction of several worshippers. The association, led by President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the assault as a “barbaric attack on humanity and the sanctity of life.”
In a statement issued on April 30, 2026, Okoh expressed his profound shock over the incident, noting the disturbing nature of such violence targeting peaceful worshippers. He extended condolences to the family of the deceased pastor and expressed full solidarity with the victims and the Christian community in Ekiti.
“We mourn with the family of the slain pastor and stand united with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release,” said Okoh.
This attack, which occurred during an open-air crusade, follows a troubling trend of violent incidents across the country. Okoh also referred to a similar attack in Kogi State, where gunmen abducted residents, including clergy members and their families, further emphasizing the widespread nature of this security threat.
The CAN President reiterated that the protection of citizens’ lives and property is a fundamental duty of the government. He urged security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted worshippers.
To address the growing insecurity, CAN recommended that the government deploy more security personnel to vulnerable and rural areas. Additionally, it called for improvements in intelligence gathering to prevent such criminal activities and emphasized the urgent need to bring the perpetrators of the Ekiti attack to justice.
In his statement, Okoh also warned against normalizing attacks on places of worship, asserting that these should remain sanctuaries of peace and safety, not targets for violence.
The association concluded its statement with prayers for the families of the victims and for the restoration of peace and security across Nigeria.
