BREAKING: Adamawa Churches Cancel Crossover Services As CAN Issues Alert On Terror Attack Threats

Rev. Dr. Manzo urged church leaders to treat the advisory with the utmost seriousness and immediately notify their congregations.

A looming terror threat has forced churches across Adamawa State to abruptly cancel their New Year crossover services, triggering widespread fear and underscoring Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

Christian leaders in the state, under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), issued an urgent security advisory on Tuesday, warning of a planned terrorist attack targeting Yola and other parts of Adamawa during crossover night.

The alert, contained in a statement signed by Rev. Dr. Joel Danjuma Manzo, President of the Gongola Baptist Conference and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman in Adamawa State, said the warning was based on “credible intelligence” from the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the statement, terrorists are allegedly planning to unleash violence during crossover celebrations, prompting CAN to direct all churches and Christian organisations to suspend or discontinue crossover night services in the interest of public safety.

“Information reaching us through reliable security channels indicates that there is a serious security alert from the DSS regarding a planned attempt by terrorists to cause havoc within Yola and other parts of the state during the crossover night,” the statement said.

Rev. Dr. Manzo urged church leaders to treat the advisory with the utmost seriousness and immediately notify their congregations.

“It is wiser to suspend a crossover service today and, by God’s grace, hold many peaceful and joyful crossovers in the years ahead. The overriding priority is that we all cross into the New Year alive, healthy, and safe,” he added.

In a parallel move reflecting the gravity of the threat, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has also cancelled the state’s annual New Year crossover event, a high-profile celebration that typically draws Nigerian music celebrities and large crowds to Yola.

The cancellation of both religious and government-backed crossover events has sent shockwaves through the state, highlighting the scale of the security concerns and the growing threat of terrorism even during symbolic national moments like the New Year.

The CAN statement concluded with prayers for divine protection and a safe passage into 2026, as residents brace for a subdued crossover marked more by fear than festivity.

Adamawa, once again, enters a new year under the shadow of insecurity.