... Claims Group Linked To Thousands Of Killings, Abductions, Mass Rural Exodus Across Middle Belt
… Over 1.3 million People Displaced As Rural Communities Face Repeated Night Raids
Daud Olatunji
A new report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has revealed that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are currently operating across Nigeria, significantly fuelling killings, abductions and widespread displacement, particularly in the Middle Belt and parts of the South.
The report, released in May 2026 and titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” described the groups as some of the deadliest non-state actors responsible for religious freedom violations in the country.
According to the commission, the militants operate in clusters ranging from 10 to 1,000 fighters and have been linked to a wave of violent attacks that have left thousands dead and forced over 1.3 million people from their homes.
It noted that the attacks, often carried out at night using motorcycles, automatic weapons and machetes, are largely targeted at vulnerable rural communities, creating fear and forcing residents to abandon their lands.
The report stated, “Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year, surpassing attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs.”
While many of the assaults were said to have targeted Christian communities, the commission added that Muslim populations have also suffered killings, kidnappings and raids.
Despite lacking a central command structure, the report disclosed that some of the militant groups collaborate with bandits and extremist organisations, blurring the line between ideological violence and criminality.
“These actors operate in diverse contexts with multiple motivations,” the report stated. “Some pursue economic gains, while others are linked to extremist ideologies.”
The commission cited several deadly incidents between 2025 and early 2026, including a June 2025 attack in Benue State where at least 200 people, including displaced persons sheltering in a Catholic mission, were killed.
It also referenced the massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, where over 200 people—mostly women and children—were reportedly killed, with more than 3,000 displaced.
In another incident in February 2026, suspected militants killed at least 32 persons in Niger State and attacked a church in Kaduna State, killing three worshippers and abducting 11 others, including a priest.
The report further documented attacks on Muslim worshippers, including the abduction of an imam and seven others from a mosque in Plateau State, with kidnappers demanding a N16 million ransom.
USCIRF noted that some attacks were deliberately timed to coincide with Christian religious festivals such as Christmas and Easter to heighten psychological impact.
“On Easter Sunday, militants reportedly killed five worshippers at two churches in Kaduna State and abducted 31 others,” it stated.
The commission said conflicting narratives over the root causes of the violence—ranging from farmer-herder clashes and environmental pressures to allegations of religious persecution—have complicated efforts to address the crisis.
It, however, stressed that the violence is driven by a combination of overlapping factors, including religion, competition over land and economic interests.
The report criticised Nigerian authorities for what it described as inadequate and slow responses to attacks, noting that victims frequently accuse security agencies of delayed intervention.
It also highlighted allegations by some Christian groups that security forces exhibit bias in favour of Muslim communities during operations, claims that have remained contentious.
At the policy level, the report acknowledged efforts by state governments to promote ranching as a solution to herder-farmer conflicts, as well as Federal Government actions following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States in 2025.
It noted that President Bola Tinubu subsequently classified violent groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists in December 2025.
Security agencies were also said to have recorded some gains, including the rescue of 309 hostages and the arrest of 129 suspects during operations in Kogi and Kwara states in January 2026.
The report further drew attention to allegations against the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, which has been accused by some groups of failing to curb violence by suspected herders.
However, the association denied any involvement in criminal activities, insisting it does not support or finance violence.
The commission added that the United States Congress is considering the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, which proposes sanctions against the group over alleged complicity in rights violations.
Despite ongoing security operations and policy interventions, the report warned that the crisis remains deeply entrenched.
“Central Nigeria remains in a persistent and intense state of insecurity,” the commission said, warning that lasting peace would depend on addressing the underlying causes and ensuring protection for all religious communities.
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