Christian Association Wants Perpetrators Of Insecurity Prosecuted

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the federal government to strengthen security architecture in vulnerable communities amid rising insecurity in the country and to bring the perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice.

The president of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call yesterday in Abuja in a goodwill message at the opening of the 32nd Triennial General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), with the theme, “Demand for Justice and Righteousness”.

Okoh urged the government to support displaced families, rebuild destroyed communities and address the root causes of insecurity boldly and decisively.

He emphasised that the demand for security is a fundamental obligation, stating, “This is not a political demand; it is a humanitarian, moral and spiritual obligation.

“We must stand together as one body, with one voice, pursuing one mission: the protection of the sanctity of human life and the dignity of all citizens.

“The government has a constitutional, moral and sacred responsibility to protect the life and property of all Nigerians, without discrimination, without delay and without excuses,” he said.

While calling for national unity among Christians to demand justice and good governance, he commended the CCN for its historic role as a beacon of Christian unity and a “custodian of moral conscience.”

He described the assembly’s theme, drawn from Amos 5:24, as a prophetic message for Nigeria during a time of deep national crises.

“The prophet Amos challenged a society that had become comfortable with religious rituals while neglecting the weightier matters of justice and righteousness.

“His words echo loudly in our time as we confront injustice, inequality, corruption, moral decay and the deepening insecurity that threatens the soul of our nation,” he said.

He also challenged the church to ensure its witness is judged by its practical impact, noting, “Our Christian witness today will not be judged merely by our prayers or magnificent sanctuaries, but by how faithfully we reflect the character of Christ in our commitment to justice, compassion and righteousness.”