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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected as untrue and deceptive recent media stories claiming that its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, minimized the continuous killings of Christians in the nation during a discussion with the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communication, Barrister Daniel Bwala.

A statement released on Tuesday, signed by Archbishop Okoh, stated that CAN was worried about a press release attributed to Bwala, which was titled “Presidency Refutes Western Christian Genocide Claim During Discussion with CAN Leaders.”

The statement reportedly stated that Archbishop Okoh described the current violence as a “so-called Christian genocide.”

CAN stated that the depiction was entirely inaccurate and highly unjust, explaining that throughout the meeting, which took place on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, the CAN President did not use those words or downplay the seriousness of the attacks.

“Calling the tragedy a ‘so-called genocide’ minimizes the suffering of many Christians who have lost family members, homes, and places of worship due to deliberate attacks. The meeting was captured by CAN’s media team, and our stance is still firm and unaltered,” CAN stated.

As per the statement, Barrister Bwala’s visit sought to gain insight into CAN’s stance on global responses to comments made by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who labeled the extensive attacks on Christian groups in Nigeria as a Christian genocide.

At the meeting, CAN once again emphasized its longstanding position that Christian communities in certain areas of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt have endured repeated, organized, and violent attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths, villages being destroyed, and families being forced to leave their homes over the years — a cycle of violence that cannot be overlooked or denied.

Bishop Mike Akpami, the Director of Planning, Research and Strategy at CAN, reportedly shared confirmed information from the online platform.www.orfa.africarecording ongoing and specific assaults on Christians in Nigeria and various regions of Africa.

The gathering was joined by leading CAN representatives, such as Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Rev (Dr) Stephen Panya Baba (Vice President), Apostle (Prof) Samson Fatokun (General Secretary), Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue (Director of Legal and Public Affairs), and other high-ranking officials. CAN stated that Rev Dr Uzoaku Williams and Dr Celestine Aharanwa, whose names were mentioned in certain reports, did not attend.

The group called on the Federal Government and law enforcement bodies to act swiftly, justly, and openly to halt the violence and provide justice for those affected.

“We urge government officials and media experts to communicate with honesty, compassion, and accountability. Thoughtless language may intensify suffering and weaken harmony,” the statement concluded.