Niger CAN Demands Security Boost at Worship Centres, Churches 

…..intensify prayers for safe release of abducted worshipers

By Daniel Ebi , Minna.

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 call followed the abduction of an unspecified number of Muslim worshipers 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.

Chairman of CAN in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, made the call during his Sunday homily at St. Michael Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.

Bishop Yohanna said the security situation in the Borgu Emirate, comprising Borgu and Agwara local government areas, required urgent and sustained intervention to protect residents, particularly those living in vulnerable 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 strongly condemned the abduction of the Muslim worshipers, describing the incident as an attack not only on the victims but also on the sanctity of places of worship and 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.

He expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, saying Christians in the state shared in the grief and anguish of the affected Muslim communities.

“As a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities,” he said.

The Bishop disclosed that churches across Niger State had intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted worshipers.

According to him, CAN had specifically encouraged churches and Christian faithful to dedicate their Sunday services to prayers for the immediate and safe release of the victims, as well as divine intervention in the fight against insecurity.

“Millions of Christians and all the churches across the state have intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted worshipers in Borgu Local Government Area,” he said.

He added: “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.”

Bishop Yohanna expressed confidence that the prayers would yield positive results, saying: “We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”

He also commended the Federal and Niger State Governments, as well as the security agencies, for their efforts so far in responding to the security challenge and working towards the recovery of the abducted worshipers.

The CAN chairman, however, stressed the need for sustained security operations and greater protection for vulnerable communities, particularly worshipers who gather in large numbers at designated places of worship.