₦airaland Forum

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wishes to correct recent media reports following the visit of Barrister Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, to the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, 20 October 2025.

During the visit, Barrister Bwala sought to understand CAN’s position regarding the global reactions to remarks by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who described the widespread attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide.’ He noted that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from insecurity, adding that the current administration inherited the problem and is working to address it.

CAN made it clear that its position on this issue has long been established and remains unchanged. Across many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have suffered repeated, organised, and brutal attacks which have left thousands dead, villages destroyed, and families displaced. These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure.

However, CAN was alarmed to see a press statement reportedly issued by Barrister Bwala, titled ‘Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership.’ The report falsely suggested that the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, dismissed or downplayed the ongoing killings by describing them as a ‘so-called Christian genocide.’

That portrayal is completely false and grossly unfair. The meeting was recorded by CAN’s media team, and at no point did Archbishop Okoh use such words or express such a view. Referring to the tragedy as a ‘so-called genocide’ trivialises the pain of countless Christians who have lost loved ones, homes, and places of worship in targeted attacks.

During the meeting, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, Bishop Mike Akpami, presented verified data from www.orfa.africa showing consistent and targeted attacks on Christians across several regions of Africa, including Nigeria.

The meeting was attended by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN; Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba, Vice President; Apostle (Prof.) Samson Fatokun, General Secretary; Dean Rev. Ozumba, Emmanuel Nicodemus, Director of Education, Women & Youth; Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue (Esq), Director of Legal & Public Affairs; Bishop Mike Akpami, Director of Planning, Research & Strategy; Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, Director of National Issues & Social Welfare; Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly, Secretary, North Central Zone; and Dr. Victor Ivoke, Senior Special Assistant to the CAN President. For the avoidance of doubt, Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams, Assistant General Secretary; and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some reports, were not present at the meeting.

CAN calls on the Federal Government and security agencies to act with urgency, fairness, and transparency to halt these killings and bring all perpetrators to justice. It also urges media professionals and government officials to speak with truth, empathy, and responsibility, as careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace.

Signed:
Archbishop Daniel Okoh
President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

buckeyemedia:
Quite obvious that u don’t know what the meaning of genocide...

Racoon:
Truth is sacrosanct; you can deny bury or cover it. It is only a conscienceless human being that would be denying reality.

Racoon:
The CAN that denied this senseless bloodshed and killings must belong to the agbadorian bishops hired in 2023 to do the work of hirelings for filthy lucre. They are soulless and conscienceless.

buckeyemedia:
Because you are more Christian than the Agbadorian Bishops abi?See the level of hypocrisy been exhibited.

buckeyemedia:
Nonsensical Obidient illusion.

Kukutente23:
Funny enough Daniel (or is it Esau) Bwala is from Borno the very birthplace of Boko haram which means he should be aware that the targets of Boko haram attacks were Christians at its onset.

Being a northern Christian, one will feel he should be very much aware of the ethnic cleansing and targeted genocide carried out on Christians in the Middle Belt, and even their social, economic and political suppression

But here he is for a pot of porridge, he's denying the pains of his own people and in retrospect, denying his own very self.

Racoon:
Sometimes some people continue to believe their own lies so as not to destroy their own illusion. Sorry bro.

Racoon:
Well, am not a hirelings like you lots and all the despicable humanity today deny the obvious

buckeyemedia:
Na November 2017 story u dey pull up picture? Christian genocide indeed.

buckeyemedia:
Pull u the amount of Muslims that have been killed also. Opposition una must wail, no joy Obidients.

buckeyemedia:
Bwala should know abi? Crying more than the bereaved could only be an act of self righteous hypocrisy.

Opposition people no get joy.

APCNig:
CAN is right. The thousands of people killed by bandits in different Mosques all over the North are Christians.

I thought CAN will register its own political party after its Presidential candidate was whipped mercilessly in the last election. It’s time for CAN to register its own party and stop pretending.