The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has declared the 2025 Christmas festive period as the most peaceful witnessed in the country for many years. This significant statement was made on Friday, December 27, 2025, following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at their Ikoyi, Lagos residence.
A Welcome Break from Violence
Archbishop Okoh highlighted the stark contrast with previous years, marked by tragic attacks on Christian communities during the holiday season. "I can tell you that this Christmas happened to be the first Christmas in many years that we are not woken up with a phone call at midnight to say that a church was attacked," he told journalists. He described this calm as a testimony worth sharing and expressed hope for its continuation.
The CAN leader directly linked this improved atmosphere to the efforts of the Tinubu administration. He praised the government's renewed commitment to strengthening the nation's security architecture, which he said has allowed Nigerians to move about with greater peace. While acknowledging that much work remains, Okoh stated that the President has started well and prayed for the sustainability of these efforts, hoping for more visible results by the following year.
Context of Past Christmas Attacks
This declaration of peace comes against a grim backdrop of violence targeting Christians during Christmas in Nigeria. The report recalls the coordinated attacks on Christian villages in southern Kaduna on December 25, 2022, which resulted in multiple deaths and continued violence even during funerals. Furthermore, on December 25, 2024, armed militants killed at least 11 Christians in Kwande County, Benue State, during church services and related assaults.
US Airstrikes and Nigerian Collaboration
While Christmas Day 2025 was largely peaceful for Nigerian Christians, it was also the day the United States conducted airstrikes on ISIS-linked militant camps in Sokoto State. U.S. officials stated the action targeted militants responsible for killing Christians. Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that Nigeria authorized the strikes and provided the intelligence that led to the operation.
Minister Tuggar emphasized Nigeria's consistent policy of collaborating with all partners committed to fighting terrorism, regardless of the religion of the victims or the specific type of terrorism. "This is an ongoing process," he stated, framing the action as part of a broader counter-terrorism strategy.
The convergence of a peaceful Christmas celebration and decisive military action against terrorist threats marks a significant moment. It points to a potential shift in the security landscape, offering a glimmer of hope for sustained peace and safety for all Nigerians during future festive seasons.
