2,550 Christians Killed, 3,950 worshippers abducted in first half of 2026 – Intersociety alleges

By Anthony Isibor

THE International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Intersociety, has alleged that suspected Islamist armed groups operating under the protection of state actors committed widespread atrocities across Nigeria in the first six months of 2026, resulting in thousands of deaths, abductions and destruction of places of worship.

The rights organisation made the claims in its 2026 Mid-Year Report, released in Enugu on Thursday, July 2, describing the findings as evidence of what it called “22 international heinous crimes” committed between January and June.

According to the report, an estimated 2,550 Christians and 1,050 Muslims were killed during the period, while 2,800 Christians and 1,150 Muslims were abducted.

The organisation also alleged that about 300 churches were destroyed, 10 Christian pastors were killed, another 10 pastors abducted, while 800 Christian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam while in captivity.

Intersociety further claimed that approximately 175 Christian schoolchildren were abducted during the six-month period.

The organisation used the report to call for the resignation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, accusing her of downplaying the scale of religious persecution in Nigeria.

According to Intersociety, Ghanea’s June 2026 visit to Nigeria ended with conclusions dismissing claims that killings and abductions amounted to a deliberate government-directed campaign targeting Christians.

The group argued that her position contradicted concerns previously expressed by five other UN special rapporteurs, who warned on June 8 that Christian women and girls in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt face systematic killings, abductions, sexual violence, forced conversions and child marriages.

Allegations against Nigerian government

Intersociety also accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately investigate or prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

The organisation argued that Nigeria’s inability or unwillingness to address the alleged crimes domestically raises questions under the principle of complementarity established by the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is a State Party.

It alleged that armed groups enjoyed protection from state actors, an accusation the Nigerian government has consistently denied in previous responses to similar allegations.

Claims of widespread attacks

According to the report, the violence occurred in about 720 separate attacks, averaging 120 attacks each month.

The group said Plateau State recorded the highest number of Christian deaths with about 420, followed by Borno State with about 400 deaths, particularly in the southern part of the state.

Other states identified as major hotspots included Benue State, Taraba State, Kaduna State, Niger State, Kwara State, Kogi State, Adamawa State, Nasarawa State, Ekiti State, Oyo State, Ondo State, Delta State, Edo State and parts of the South-East.

The organisation attributed most of the killings and abductions to what it described as Fulani ethnic militants, Boko Haram, ISWAP and affiliated armed groups.

Intersociety claimed that about 300 churches and Christian worship centres were attacked, burnt or abandoned between January and June.

It highlighted Catholic Diocese of Wukari as one of the worst affected areas, citing figures released by the diocese indicating that more than 100,000 worshippers had fled their communities since September 2025.

According to the report, the diocese also recorded the destruction of 217 churches over an eight-month period ending in May 2026, while several parish houses were burnt and priests displaced.

Intersociety further claimed that nearly 19,700 churches have been destroyed nationwide since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009.

The report listed several clerics allegedly killed during the attacks, including pastors from the Evangelical Church Winning All, Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, Christ Apostolic Church, Church of Christ in Nations and the Anglican Communion.

It also alleged that at least 10 other pastors and church leaders were abducted during the reporting period, with some later released, while others were reportedly killed in captivity.

Among the report’s most serious allegations is the claim that 800 Christian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam after being abducted.

The organisation alleged that such incidents occurred in parts of Kaduna State, Borno State, Adamawa State, Taraba State, Kwara State, Kogi State and Niger State.

It further alleged that some forced conversions involved state institutions, while others were carried out by armed groups operating in forest camps.

Although much of the report focused on attacks against Christians, Intersociety also claimed that Muslim civilians suffered heavy losses.

It estimated that 1,050 Muslims were killed and 1,150 abducted during the period, largely in attacks attributed to bandits, Boko Haram and allied groups.

The organisation further alleged that about 200 Muslim civilians died in military airstrikes in parts of Yobe State, Borno State and Zamfara State, while also alleging that a military airstrike in Niger State killed Christian civilians.

Intersociety said that its findings were supported by a 66-page compilation of evidence gathered from field investigations, eyewitness accounts, community leaders, religious organisations, media reports, researchers, activists and international human rights bodies.

According to the organisation, the report relied on more than 120 separate sources, including 40 general media reports, 20 specialist publications, 15 religious organisations, 10 research bodies, 15 local activists, five international organisations and 15 community groups.

The Nigerian government and security agencies have repeatedly rejected allegations of religious bias in the country’s security operations, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines and that security forces are combating terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes nationwide.

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