The Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the recent attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, where gunmen killed a pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.
In a statement on Wednesday, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh described the incident as a “brutal assault on shared humanity and the sanctity of life.”
“We mourn with the family of the slain pastor and stand in full solidarity 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,” the statement read.
Okoh lamented that the tragedy followed a “disturbing pattern” of insecurity across the country, recalling a recent incident in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi, where gunmen abducted residents, including clergy and their family members.
The association reminded the government that the protection of lives and property remains its primary responsibility and urged security agencies to act “swiftly, decisively, and transparently” to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the unharmed rescue of the victims.
To prevent future attacks, CAN recommended the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to vulnerable and rural communities, as well as the enhancement of proactive intelligence gathering to forestall criminal activities.
Okoh warned against the “normalisation” of attacks on places of worship, describing them as places of refuge that should never become hunting grounds for criminals. He prayed for comfort for the bereaved families and the restoration of peace and security across Nigeria.
