The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has clarified its position on reports alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, saying that while many Christian communities have indeed suffered violent attacks, its advocacy remains grounded in justice, peace, and truth rather than sensationalism.
The clarification was made in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN. The statement followed recent comments by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who accused Nigerian authorities of complicity in what he described as “systematic religious persecution.”
Senator Cruz, in an interview with Fox News Digital, alleged that over 52,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009 and more than 20,000 churches and schools destroyed. He also announced plans to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which seeks sanctions against officials allegedly complicit in religious persecution.
Responding, Archbishop Okoh said CAN had followed “recent conversations about faith and violence in Nigeria with deep concern.” He acknowledged that many Christian communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria, have experienced severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of places of worship.
“CAN affirms, without hesitation, that many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship. These realities remind us of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen,” Okoh stated.
Archbishop Okoh emphasized that CAN’s advocacy is guided by peaceful engagement and justice, not by rhetoric that could deepen division.
“Our concern has always been to seek justice and protection, not to inflame division or hatred,” he said.
He outlined CAN’s ongoing efforts to address religiously motivated violence, which include setting up mechanisms for documenting attacks, maintaining correspondence with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, and collaborating with international Christian organizations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.
Despite these initiatives, CAN expressed concern that many of its appeals for protection have gone unanswered, urging the Federal Government to take urgent and transparent action to end the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
Archbishop Okoh further called for national healing and equal protection for all Nigerians, stressing that peace remains fragile and must be nurtured carefully.
“Nigeria’s healing will not come from denial or blame, but from courage — the courage to face our collective failures, to grieve together, and to rebuild trust within our communities. Only then can our nation rise from its wounds and embrace a future of genuine peace,” he concluded.
