Eruku church attack shows pattern of violence against Christians, says CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that the recent deadly attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, is part of a persistent pattern of assaults on Christian communities in vulnerable parts of the country.

In a statement in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed profound sadness over the violent incident, which was captured on the church’s livestream and left several worshippers dead and others abducted during a prayer service.

Okoh described the attack as a “heartbreaking reminder” of the escalating insecurity confronting Christian communities across Nigeria. He stated that while official responses often downplay fears of targeted violence, the continuing frequency and intensity of such incidents remain a major national and international concern.

“We stand in solidarity with the families who lost loved ones, with those injured, with the abducted, and with the entire Eruku community in their moment of grief,” the CAN President said. “Their pain is our collective pain, and their trauma is one that no community of faith should ever be forced to endure.”

Archbishop Okoh made several urgent appeals, calling on security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the abducted worshippers and bring the perpetrators to justice, for the government to conduct a transparent investigation to identify security lapses and restore public confidence, and public, immediate medical, emotional, and material support for the affected families.

He also appealed to religious and community leaders to help maintain calm and prevent reprisals, emphasizing that the focus must remain on “justice, healing, and peace, pursued through lawful and constructive means.”

Okoh stressed the urgent need for stronger protection of places of worship, particularly in high-risk areas.

He concluded that the tragedy underscores the critical necessity for a long-term national security strategy to combat terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism, ensuring the safety and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of their faith.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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