The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has called for increased and permanent security presence at places of worship across the state, particularly during Friday Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services.
The state CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, made the call in a homily on Sunday at St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Church, Kontagora, following the abduction of hundreds of Muslim worshippers in parts of Borgu Local Government Area.
The worshippers were abducted from mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities in Borgu LGA during Jumu’at prayers on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the entire Borgu Emirate, comprising Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, required a strong and permanent security presence to protect residents, especially those in rural communities.
He said, “The whole of Borgu Emirate, which includes Agwara and Borgu LGAs, needs strong and permanent security presence so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted.”
The CAN chairman condemned in strong terms the abduction of the Muslim worshippers, stressing that attacks on places of worship, regardless of religious affiliation, constitute a threat to the wider community.
“For us, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the wider community,” he said.
“And as a body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities.”
Bishop Yohanna further disclosed that millions of Christians and churches across Niger State had intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
According to him, CAN had urged Christians and churches across the state to dedicate their Sunday services to prayers for the safe return of the victims and divine intervention in the fight against insecurity.
“As a body, we have set aside today (Sunday) to call on all Nigerlites, Christians and churches across Niger State to use this Sunday service to cry to God and to pray specifically for the safe return of the abductees and for God to help our security agencies,” he said.
“We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”
The Catholic bishop also commended the Federal and Niger State Governments, as well as security agencies, for their efforts so far in responding to the security challenges in the affected communities.
He, however, stressed that sustained and permanent security measures were necessary to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents, particularly those living in vulnerable rural communities.
