Suspected Islamic terrorist groups killed 3,610 and abducted 3,960 others across Nigeria between January and June 2026, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has said. Demography
Meanwhile, the human rights organisation also claimed that over 300 churches were razed while 800 abducted Christian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam during the six-month period, reports Vanguard.
The assertions were made in the group’s mid-year report signed by its Board Chairman, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi
The agency documented what it called 22 kinds of international crimes allegedly committed by terrorist groups, including killings, abductions, destruction of places of worship and forced religious conversion, the report said.
Intersociety stated that among the fatalities were around 2,550 Christians and 1,050 Muslims killed, and 2,800 Christians and 1,150 Muslims abducted over the period.
The report reportedly claimed 10 Christian pastors were killed, 10 more abducted and 300 churches damaged or destroyed.
It further stated that Plateau and southern Borno states saw the largest number of Christian deaths while southern Borno and southern Kaduna recorded the highest number of Christian abductions.
Attacks were also reported in Benue, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Imo, Enugu and Abia states among others, the group said.
The report also said Islamist organisations killed at least 850 Muslim citizens during the period and about 850 others were abducted. Also, it stated that over 200 Muslim civilians were killed in military airstrikes in Yobe, Borno and Zamfara states.
Intersociety further stated that dozens of Christians were killed in a military airstrike on Guradnayi community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on May 10, 2026.
The organisation also asked for the resignation of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, accusing her of downplaying religious persecution in Nigeria during her recent visit to the country. Demographic data
The group also took the federal government to task on the handling of insecurity, accusing the authorities of not addressing the crisis through its own legal channels or seeking international involvement if appropriate.
As of the time of the report’s submission, the federal government and security services had not responded to the report’s claims.
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