Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A new report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has painted a grim picture of the escalating violence against Christian communities across Nigeria, revealing that 3,083 Christians were killed and 3,193 abducted between January and August 2026. The rights group also alleged that 400 churches were attacked during the same period, and 25 priests and pastors were either killed or abducted, with a significant portion of the violence concentrated in Plateau and Benue states.
The report, released on Sunday, September 6, 2026, by Intersociety Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi, was based on information gathered from residents, survivors, and eyewitnesses in affected communities. According to the organisation, the violence is allegedly perpetrated by Islamic extremist groups, with "Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Jihadist Fulani Bandits" accounting for no fewer than 90% of the attacks recorded during the period. The group said its analysis focused specifically on attacks it considered religiously motivated and linked to Islamist extremists. "Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Jihadist Fulani Bandits are found to have accounted for no fewer than 90% of the attacks," Umeagbalasi said, adding that the findings had been corroborated by residents, survivors, and eyewitnesses in affected communities.
The casualty figures were particularly alarming in the final two months of the period. The report indicated that 437 Christians were killed and 393 abducted in July and August alone. August proved especially deadly, with 138 Christians killed and 180 abducted, with significant incidents recorded in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Adamawa states. The group said the August killings included scores of deaths recorded in Plateau, Benue, Adamawa, and Kaduna states, while several abductions occurred in Kogi, Benue, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Enugu, and other states. The organisation also claimed that about 120 of the 180 Christians abducted in August were from the South-East, particularly Igbo travellers using major interstate roads, including those heading to Lagos and Abuja.
The report also highlighted the devastating impact on Christian places of worship. Intersociety estimated that the number of churches attacked or destroyed since July 2009 had reached approximately 19,800 by the end of August 2026. The organisation said at least 230 churches in parts of Taraba State had been attacked or destroyed between September 2025 and August 2026, while more than 100,000 Catholic parishioners were allegedly displaced. It said about 200 Christian villages had also been sacked in the affected areas, forcing residents to flee their homes. The situation has particularly affected the Catholic dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo, with 16 priests reportedly forced to flee their pastoral duties and at least eight parish houses razed. The report also cited the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST), which has lost 5,987 members and 753 churches to attacks in Benue State alone.
The report also documented the abduction of Christian travellers, citing a specific incident in Ondo State and the kidnapping of passengers travelling in commercial vehicles across the South-West. Among those identified as victims were a 10-month-old baby and six other Christians abducted at Ndegwu in Imo State. Intersociety also cited the reported abduction of passengers travelling in commercial vehicles in the South-West, including an incident in Ondo State. The organisation called for greater protection of vulnerable communities and improved security measures to prevent further attacks and abductions. As the figures remain claims made by Intersociety and have not been independently verified, the report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to protect religious minorities and vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
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