CAN Hails Peaceful Christmas, First in Years Without Midnight Call of Church Attack

The Christian Association of Nigeria has commended President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a peaceful Christmas celebration, describing it as the first in many years without church attacks.

The CAN President, Most Revd Daniel Okoh, stated this on Friday after a courtesy visit to the President and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Lagos.

“I can tell you, this Christmas happened to be the first Christmas in many years that we are not waking up with a phone call at midnight to say that a church was attacked. It is a testimony that we must share and we hope and pray that this will continue,” Okoh said.

The commendation comes amid heightened tensions following the United States’ Christmas Day airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria and months of claims by American lawmakers about alleged Christian persecution in the country.

In October 2025, US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing an “existential threat” to Christianity. He threatened to cut off US aid and go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the government failed to stop what he termed the “slaughter of Christians.”

The Federal Government has consistently rejected these claims.

On Christmas Day, Trump announced that US forces had conducted “numerous deadly strikes” against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar disclosed that Nigeria provided the intelligence for the airstrikes and that Tinubu approved the operation.

Responding to questions about the government’s handling of Trump’s threats, Okoh said the President had been “responsive to the issues being raised.”

“We are seeing renewed efforts and renewed commitment to strengthen the security architecture and to make sure that Nigerians will be going out in peace and coming back in peace,” he stated.

He acknowledged that challenges remained but expressed confidence in the administration’s trajectory.

“There is still a lot to be done. But we know that the President has started very well and we pray that this will be sustained. We hope that maybe by next year we will be able to see visible results of what is being done now.”

The CAN delegation pledged to continue working with the Tinubu administration for national development.