CAN declares June 14 Black Sunday over widespread insecurity

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Sunday, June 14, 2026, as a “black Sunday” in mourning for victims of terrorist attacks across the country.

The association also announced a national prayer period scheduled to run from June 12 to June 14, as part of efforts to seek divine intervention over worsening insecurity.

Speaking at the conclusion of its National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026, CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said prayers alone were not sufficient to address the country’s security challenges.

He stressed the need for concrete action to tackle the growing threat of violence and insecurity. Okoh urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, arguing that such a step was necessary to bring the situation under control.

He also called for the acceleration of state policing reforms and the decentralisation of security structures, saying these measures would enable quicker and more effective responses to security threats. In addition, he demanded the unconditional release of kidnapped victims across the country, while insisting that justice must be served in all cases of abduction and terrorist violence.