Church Leaders Alarmed by Renewed Suicide Attacks in Nigeria

Summary:
Church leaders in Nigeria are alarmed by a recent wave of suicide attacks carried out by suspected female bombers in Gwoza, Borno State, which resulted in at least 30 deaths and numerous injuries. These coordinated attacks targeted a wedding, a hospital, and a funeral. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, condemned the violence and called for collective action against terrorism. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu described the attacks as "desperate acts of terror" but claimed they were isolated incidents. However, Nigeria has faced jihadist terrorism since 2009, particularly from Boko Haram, which aims to create a strict Islamic caliphate.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama highlighted the significant impact on Christians, particularly in the Northern region, where religious freedom has deteriorated. He criticized the government’s inadequate response to violence and called for stronger action to protect religious freedom. The archbishop emphasized that freedom of worship is a fundamental right and urged Nigerians to demand better protection from their government.