The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has claimed that at least 2,550 Christians were killed and 2,800 others abducted across Nigeria between January and June 2026, alleging that armed Islamist groups carried out the attacks.
In its 2026 Mid-Year Report released on Thursday, the Enugu-based human rights organisation also estimated that 1,050 Muslims were killed and 1,150 abducted during the same period. According to the group’s Executive Director, Emeka Umeagbalasi, some of the states most affected by the violence include Plateau, Benue, Southern Borno, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, Kogi and Nasarawa.
Intersociety attributed the attacks to armed Fulani groups, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, Lakurawa and other armed groups, alleging that they operate with little resistance and often collaborate in kidnappings, attacks and ransom operations.
The organisation further claimed that about 300 churches and other Christian places of worship were destroyed, burned, abandoned or forced to close during the six-month period. It also alleged that 10 Christian pastors were killed, another 10 abducted, while approximately 800 Christian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam while in captivity.
According to the report, the Catholic Diocese of Wukari recorded the destruction of 217 churches between September 2025 and May 2026, with more than 100,000 worshippers reportedly displaced by attacks on Christian communities.
The report also claimed that about 175 Christian schoolchildren were abducted during the review period, with many of the incidents occurring in Borno and Oyo states.Intersociety said its findings were compiled from a 66-page incident database based on field investigations, eyewitness accounts, survivors, community leaders, media reports, religious organisations, researchers and other open-source intelligence gathered from more than 120 sources.
The organisation also criticised the Nigerian government, alleging that it has failed to adequately protect vulnerable communities, prosecute perpetrators or pursue international accountability through the International Criminal Court.
The figures and allegations in the report are claims made by Intersociety and have not been independently verified by authorities.
