Christian Association of Nigeria Demands Urgent Rescue After Brutal Gunman Attack on Ekiti Church Crusade

The Christian Association of Nigeria demands a swift rescue for worshippers abducted in Ekiti State following a deadly attack on a church crusade.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 4:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

A Violent Breach of Religious Sanctity

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a stern condemnation following a lethal attack on a religious gathering in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, Ekiti State. According to a statement released by CAN President Daniel Okoh, gunmen invaded an open air crusade, resulting in the targeted killing of a pastor and the forceful abduction of multiple worshippers. Okoh described the incident as a brutal assault on shared humanity and the fundamental sanctity of life, emphasizing that places of worship should remain protected sanctuaries rather than targets for seasonal violence.

Escalating Insecurity and Systematic Vulnerability

The religious body highlighted that this latest tragedy is not an isolated event but reflects a deepening security crisis across the federation. Okoh referenced a similar recent occurrence in the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, where gunmen successfully abducted residents, including members of the clergy and their immediate families. This pattern suggests that rural and vulnerable communities are increasingly at the mercy of armed groups, a development that CAN warns must not be normalized by the Nigerian public or the state.

Demands for Decisive Executive Action

In a direct appeal to the federal and state governments, the association reiterated that the protection of citizens and their property remains the primary constitutional responsibility of the administration. CAN has urged security agencies to act with transparency and decisiveness to apprehend the perpetrators behind the Ekiti massacre. The leadership insisted that the response must be swift to ensure the safe and unharmed release of those currently held hostage, noting that the status quo of rising abductions is no longer tenable.