By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN,) has tasked Nigerian leaders, three tiers of government and security agencies in Nigeria to make protection of schools and children as an urgent national responsibility.

President CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated this in a message to commemorate the 2026 Children’s day in Abuja.

Okoh lamented that CAN deeply concern over the growing dangers confronting children across the country.

Adding that this is not acceptable due to the spate of kidnapping and abductions of children in schools in Oyo state.

The CAN President, therefore called for the immediate release of the children and teachers, in captivity.

The message reads, “This year’s celebration comes at a painful time for many families following recent attacks on schools in Oyo State, where pupils and teachers were abducted by gunmen, leaving parents traumatised and communities shaken. For many Nigerians, the incident has once again raised painful questions about the safety of children and the future of education in an atmosphere of worsening insecurity.

“CAN is deeply troubled by the plight of children who remain in captivity and by the emotional agony their families continue to endure. No child should have to experience fear and violence in a place meant for learning, protection and hope.

“We are equally concerned for the teachers caught in these tragic situations alongside their pupils. Teachers do far more than teach lessons in classrooms. They guide, protect, encourage and nurture children entrusted to their care every day. In many ways, they become trusted guardians and second parents to the young lives they help shape.

“The thought of teachers facing fear and uncertainty together with the children they were trying to protect should weigh heavily on the conscience of the nation”.

Okoh decried the facts that parents are now scared to send their children to school in Nigeria and this is unacceptable.

“A country where parents are afraid to send their children to school and teachers are uncertain about their safety cannot claim to be securing its future”.

He lamented the level of hunger, insecurity, poverty, in the country,
“Beyond insecurity, millions of Nigerian children continue to struggle with poverty, hunger, abuse, trafficking, child labour and limited access to quality education and healthcare. These challenges are steadily denying many children the stability, dignity and opportunities they deserve”.

CAN therefore calls on governments at all levels and security agencies to treat the protection of schools and children as an urgent national responsibility. Children must never become victims of a failing security system or repeated targets for criminal violence.

“We also urge leaders to recognise that every attack on a school damages public confidence, weakens national development and leaves emotional scars that can shape the future of a generation.

“Parents, faith communities, traditional institutions, schools, media organisations and community leaders must also work together to protect children, strengthen moral values and create environments where young people can grow without fear.

“To every Nigerian child living under difficult conditions or in communities troubled by insecurity, CAN encourages you not to lose hope. Your future remains important, your lives have value and your dreams deserve protection and support”, he said..

The CAN President prayed, *As the nation marks Children’s Day 2026, may this occasion awaken a deeper sense of responsibility among leaders and citizens alike to build a Nigeria where every child can live, learn and grow in peace, safety and dignity”.

CAN therefore reiterated its commitment in advocating for justice, responsible leadership and policies that protect the welfare and future of every Nigerian child.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gboko Chapter, on Tuesday held a special prayer session in support of the aspiration of Hon. Emmanuel Agune, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), to represent the people of Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja.

Speaking during the event, Rev.

In his response, Agune expressed gratitude to the association for what he called a noble initiative aimed at committing his 2027 ambition into the hands of God.

He assured the gathering that if elected into the National Assembly, he would ensure that CAN is carried along in development and intervention programmes, acknowledging the role the Christian body has played in his life over the years.

Agune also reflected on his humble beginnings as a carpenter, noting that his life’s mission has always been to support the less privileged in society.

He cited his involvement in scholarship schemes, healthcare support, community projects and human capacity development programmes as evidence of his commitment to service.

The SDP House of Representatives hopeful pledged to expand such interventions if given the mandate to serve at the National Assembly.

As part of his engagements, Agune also paid a courtesy visit to the Gboko Women Integrative Group led by Mrs. Bridget Jir, where he reportedly received strong endorsements and prayers for his political ambition.

A suspect who shot at a White House checkpoint was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening, officials have confirmed.

US President Donald Trump thanked the officers for their “Swift and professional action” in apprehending the gunman, who he said in a Truth Social post had a “violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure”.

The shooting comes only a month after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The incident on Saturday remains under investigation.

Shortly before 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT), a man pulled a gun from his bag and “began firing” outside the White House at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington DC, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Secret Service officers posted on the corner returned fire, striking the gunman. He was then taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A bystander was also wounded in the shooting, but the Secret Service did not give further details on their condition. No officers were injured in the attack.

Trump was at the White House at the time, but “No protectees or operations were impacted”, the agency said.

The suspect was later identified in US media as Best, who had been known to both the Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department and had used a revolver, law enforcement sources told CBS.

A source familiar with the investigation said that Best had attempted to gain entry to the White House in July 2025 and had been arrested by officers nearby, after which he spent time at a psychiatric facility. He had been living in Washington DC for 18 months.

“Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House,” Trump wrote on social media.

Noting that the shooting had occurred since the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was disrupted by a different shooter, he said it showed how important it was “for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington” – a reference to his planned White House ballroom.

After shots were heard, reporters at the White House were rushed into a briefing room. Some had been filming when the incident occurred and shots could be heard in the distance as they spoke to camera.

Once inside, he said reporters were locked down in the press briefing room for around 30 minutes. Outside, they saw Secret Service officers and then, just beyond the grounds, they eventually saw ambulances.

Navarro said it was unclear exactly where Trump was inside the White House when the shooting took place and “whether he even heard it, as it was a good distance [away]”.

He said the shooting took place in a busy area with a cafe and restaurants, but that it was not as busy as it could have been since the shooting occurred on a weekend evening.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the Secret Service for their “decisive action” in responding to the shooting.

Thune wrote on social media that he was “Grateful” for their efforts, while Johnson said on X: “Our prayers are with the victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery.”