Christian Leaders Urge Unity and Bold Action Against Persecution
The fourth-quarter National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) opened on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Crispin Hotel, Jos, with a solemn focus on the ongoing persecution of Christians across Nigeria.
Christian leaders from across Nigeria convened in Jos for the National Council Meeting of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), calling for a unified Church voice in addressing the ongoing persecution of Christians and promoting peace across the nation. The event, attended by top church leaders, CAN executives, Traditional Council and government officials, began with a welcome address delivered on behalf of Plateau CAN Chairman Rev. Dr. Dunka Gonwalk by his deputy, Rev. Dr. K. K. Saleh.
Rev. Dr. Saleh extended warm greetings on behalf of the peace-loving people of Plateau State, noting that the NEC meeting comes at a time when Nigeria faces multifaceted challenges, including insecurity, economic hardships, and political unrest. “Our comfort and hope,” he said, “is that our Lord Jesus Christ assures us of His presence and guides us in bearing the trials of our time while being salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). We trust that this assembly will help bring forth solutions to the pressing issues facing our nation.”
Similarly, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson, CAN Chair for North Central, urged unity among church leaders as the nation faces growing threats to Christian communities. “Division diminishes our witness; unity magnifies the light of Christ,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of sound doctrine, godly leadership, and partnership in community transformation, calling on CAN members to be “the healing hands of Christ in a world of suffering.”
The highlight of the opening came with the address of CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Oko, who spoke directly on the escalating Christian genocide in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt. He expressed gratitude to Plateau State Governor Caleb Muflant for hosting the NEC meeting and lauded the resilience of the Plateau people in the face of repeated violence.
Archbishop Oko recounted visits to displaced persons (IDPs) and communities devastated by attacks, highlighting personal encounters with survivors. “In just two to three days of massacre, over 200 lives were lost. I met a little girl who had lost 16 family members, including her parents and siblings. If that is not genocide, I wonder what is,” he said, noting the psychological and spiritual scars left on affected communities.
He reaffirmed CAN’s unwavering stance: “We must speak the truth and not deny the reality of Christian persecution. Lives have been brutally cut short, communities uprooted, churches destroyed. The body of Christ in Nigeria stands firmly with our brethren. We will not be silent. We will continue to demand justice, accountability, and peace.”
Archbishop Oko appealed to both the Federal Government and the international community to act decisively to halt the killings, kidnappings, and mass displacements. He also called for the immediate resettlement of IDPs to their ancestral homes, warning that prolonged inaction could escalate into a larger humanitarian disaster.
CAN National Vice President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panyan Baba, reinforced the theme of unity as essential in confronting these crises. Drawing from John 17 and Philippians 2, he emphasized that Christians must act together in love and purpose to endure persecution and prevent the destruction of their communities. “When we live in disunity, especially in the face of persecution, we will be overrun by the enemy of the cross,” he warned.
Rev. Baba also paid tribute to Plateau State as a historical stronghold of evangelical heritage in northern Nigeria, noting that the faith and courage of Christians in the region have served as a bulwark against violence but at a heavy cost. He recounted numerous attacks and sacrifices endured by believers over the years, calling for collective prayer and action.
Highlighting lessons from history, he cited German pastor Martin Niemöller’s warning: “First they came for the Christians here, then for the Christians there… and when they finally come for us, there will be no one left to speak for us.” Rev. Baba urged Christians across Nigeria to unite, pray, and support government efforts to confront this “monster” of persecution.
In his goodwill message, Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, President and CEO of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, highlighted the peaceful conclusion of the recent NUGA Games as proof that collective action and collaboration can bring lasting peace. “It shows that close collaborative actions by our security personnel can bear positive outcomes in the long run,” he said. Dr. Para-Mallam also stressed the urgency of securing the release of Leah Sharibu and other Christians girls held captive by Boko Haram, emphasizing that their persecution is rooted in faith.
“The difference between Christian killings and Muslims is that Christians are targeted. BUT the Church must be concerned that Nigerians are killed. Leah and many other Christian girls inclusive of Praise, Joy, Josephine, Lydia, Monica, Anne, among several remain in Boko Haram captivity along with Leah. Leah was betrayed by successive Nigerian governments since February 2018, let it not be said that the Church also betrayed Leah and our other girls. Leah and other girls are suffering persecution for no reason but their Christian faith. Is there on-going persecution of Christians in Nigeria today? The answer is a capital YES”
Representatives of the National Christian Elder Forum (NCEF) echoed this call for unity. Speaking on behalf of NCEF and the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN), the forum’s president noted that “the Church must speak with one voice on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” urging collaborative action to address the ongoing challenges.
Plateau State’s Advisory Council on Inter-Religious Harmony, co-chaired by Rev. Pandam Yamsa, acknowledged the persistent persecution faced by Christians, emphasizing the need for vigilance, wisdom, and prayer in navigating Nigeria’s security landscape. “We have obeyed two of the commands of the Lord—being prayerful and harmless—but we have never been very vigilant and watchful,” he said.
Prophet Isa El-Buba called for immediate structured engagement with both government and international bodies. He proposed a national prayer and advocacy coalition, a rapid response monitoring system, and the mobilization of local churches to strengthen community defense, welfare, and reconstruction efforts. He stressed that the ongoing genocide and killings must be recognized as national security issues, not merely religious complaints.
Other leaders, including Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of RCC Ropp and representatives of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, reinforced the message that the Church must speak with one voice. They warned that continued silence in the face of terror would result in future generations inheriting a nation dominated by violence.
“What will our future generation look like in Nigeria if we don’t speak now? Silence in the face of persecution means we have failed our brothers. I’ve been burying people killed by terrorists, and we cannot continue to watch passively. We are going to take this issue to the International Criminal Court to ensure the world knows there is genocide on Christians.” Says Rev. Dachomo
Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, representing Governor Baris Akalef Manasseh Mutfang, officially declared the meeting open. She highlighted Plateau State’s commitment to peace, resettlement of displaced persons, and the preservation of the state’s spiritual heritage. “We believe that the Church remains one of our strongest partners in this mission,” she said, urging participants to deliberate on ways the Church can strengthen national discourse, moral values, and unity.
The CAN National Council Meeting comes at a critical time as Christian leaders intensify advocacy against kidnappings, killings, and other security challenges, emphasizing both prayer and strategic action as essential tools in safeguarding Nigeria’s Christian communities.