The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Nigerians and churches across the country to take lawful steps to defend themselves, their homes, and property amid the worsening security situation in the country.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s National Church Denominational Leaders Summit 2026.
The summit, themed “The State of the Nation and the Way Forward,” brought together church leaders, bloc leaders, and delegates to assess the country’s security and socio-economic challenges.
Expressing concern over the escalating wave of insecurity, Okoh also called on the Federal Government to urgently declare a state of emergency on security to stem the tide of violence and safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
According to him, the call should not be interpreted as an attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but rather as a reminder of the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and defend the nation’s territorial integrity.
“We are talking to a government that still has a level of responsibility, and so they will listen. We hope that when they listen, they will do the needful,” he said.
“It has come to that point where the government will have to declare a state of emergency on security.”
Responding to questions on whether Nigerians should resort to self-defence, the CAN President said self-preservation remains a natural human instinct but stressed that any action taken must be within the confines of the law.
“It is a natural human instinct for one to defend himself,” he said.
“What we are saying in CAN is that people and churches should be able to defend themselves, their properties, and their homes within reasonable legal limits.”
Okoh noted that CAN would continue to engage the government through public advocacy and diplomatic channels to ensure greater accountability in tackling insecurity.
He described the summit as the beginning of a series of strategic engagements aimed at promoting peace and security across the country.
The cleric further lamented that security challenges, which were once concentrated in parts of Northern and North-Central Nigeria, are increasingly spreading to the southern regions.
He, however, expressed support for international partnerships aimed at combating terrorism and insecurity, particularly the growing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States on security matters.
“If you are overwhelmed and people are coming to help you, you will not say no. You will welcome them, provided they follow the proper lines of engagement,” Okoh said.
“Our government is cooperating with the government of the United States and security forces to help dislodge these miscreants and terrorists.
“The position of CAN has not changed. If it takes other countries coming to help us out of this situation, so be it.”
