Church observes CAN’s “Black Sunday” in Umuahia after killings

The Apostolic Church Nigeria’s Umuahia Area Headquarters in Abia State held a “Black Sunday” service to conclude a three‑day national mourning and prayer programme announced by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

CAN declared a national mourning and prayer period from Friday to Sunday, designating Sunday as “Black Sunday” in response to the recent spate of killings, kidnappings and other violent attacks across the country.

During the service, Apostle Joseph Okoroafor, Deputy Territorial Chairman of The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) for the Igboland Territory, delivered a sermon emphasizing the need for collective Christian prayer amid rising insecurity and hardship.

He urged believers to pray for Nigerian leaders and military personnel who are on the frontlines fighting insurgents.

“Travelling these days is no longer easy. Things have become difficult in our nation. Our naira has lost its value. Some people find it difficult to eat two times a day,” he said. “We need to pray for our leaders and the led. We need to pray for Nigeria against bandits and insurgents. So, we need to pray for Nigeria,” Okoroafor added.

Apostle Okoroafor lamented that the lives of Christians and other Nigerians were being wasted daily without explanation, urging all citizens to remain security conscious.

He also advised the federal government to equip the Nigerian military with adequate equipment so that officers can defeat bandits on the battlefield.