The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that the recent terrorist attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, underscores a disturbing pattern of continued assaults against Christian communities in vulnerable regions nationwide.
Church Attack Captured on Camera
The violent assault occurred during a prayer service at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, where armed attackers killed several worshippers and abducted numerous others. The terrifying incident was captured by the church's livestream camera, footage that has since shocked viewers globally and sparked demands for immediate government intervention.
CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh expressed profound sadness over the attack in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja. He described the assault on peaceful citizens gathered for worship as "a heartbreaking reminder of the increasing insecurity" confronting Christian communities across Nigeria.
CAN's Urgent Demands and Solidarity
Archbishop Okoh emphasized the association's solidarity with affected families, stating: "We stand with the families who lost loved ones, with those injured, with the abducted, and with the entire Eruku community in their moment of grief. Their pain is our collective pain, and their trauma is one that no community of faith should ever be forced to endure."
The CAN leader made several critical demands following the attack:
- Immediate rescue operation for abducted worshippers
- Transparent investigation to identify security failures
- Prosecution of perpetrators
- Emergency support for affected families
Call for National Security Overhaul
Okoh stressed that this tragedy highlights the urgent need for enhanced protection of worship centers, particularly in areas repeatedly exposed to violent threats. He insisted that Nigeria requires a comprehensive long-term security strategy capable of effectively confronting terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent extremism.
The CAN president appealed to religious, traditional, and community leaders to help maintain calm and prevent any form of reprisal attacks. He emphasized that the collective focus must remain on achieving justice, healing, and peace through lawful and constructive means.
Okoh concluded by affirming CAN's commitment to monitoring developments closely and engaging with authorities to ensure that victims of the Eruku attack receive justice and that Christian communities across Nigeria receive better protection from such violent attacks in the future.
