The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has called on the government to strengthen security at places of worship, particularly during Friday Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services across the state.
The Chairman of CAN in Niger State, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, made the call during a homily on Sunday at St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Church in Kontagora.
His call followed the reported abduction of an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers from mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities in Borgu Local Government Area during Jumu’at prayers on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the entire Borgu Emirate, including Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, required a strong and permanent security presence to enable residents of rural communities to live without fear of attacks and abduction.
He condemned the abduction of Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers and appealed to the authorities to urgently beef up security around mosques, churches and other places of worship.
According to him, an attack on any place of worship, regardless of religious affiliation, was an attack on the sanctity of worship and a threat to the entire 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.
The CAN chairman added that Christians and churches across Niger State had intensified prayers for the safe return of all the worshippers abducted in Borgu Local Government Area.
He urged security agencies and relevant authorities to take decisive steps to protect worshippers and vulnerable rural communities from further attacks.
