Intersociety: Bandits, Boko Haram, others killed over 190,000 Nigerians in 17 years

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By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

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A human rights organisation, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has said that no fewer than 190,150 Nigerians have been killed by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and suspected armed herdsmen between July 2009 and March 19, 2026.

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The group, in its latest report on terrorism-related violence in the country, stated that 128,750 of those killed were Christians, while 61,400 were moderate Muslims.

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In a statement, Chairman of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi, said the figures were based on updated documentation of killings, abductions, and related atrocities across the country.

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According to him, at least 131,100 persons, including 81,100 Christians and 50,000 moderate Muslims, were abducted within the period under review. He added that about 30,000 victims were abducted and later killed in captivity during the peak of insurgency between 2009 and 2014.

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Umeagbalasi further disclosed that no fewer than 3,000 Igbo Christians living in parts of Northern Nigeria were specifically targeted, abducted, and killed in captivity during the early years of the insurgency.

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He noted that between 2015 and the end of 2025, about 50,000 Christians were abducted by terrorist groups, with an estimated 20,000 later released after ransom payments, while 2,500 were reportedly taken to foreign extremist camps.

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Other figures provided by the group indicated that 6,000 victims escaped from captivity, 3,500 were forced to convert to radical ideologies, while about 5,000 were killed in captivity. Additionally, 3,000 victims were reportedly rescued through security interventions, while about 10,000 remain in captivity.

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“In 2025 alone, an estimated 7,500 Christians were killed and 8,500 abducted across the country,” Umeagbalasi said.

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He added that within the first 78 days of 2026, at least 1,050 Christians and 550 moderate Muslims had been killed, while 1,690 Christians and 650 Muslims were abducted.

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The report also highlighted a surge in attacks in parts of Borno State, particularly in Gwoza, where returning refugees were targeted, leading to the killing of between 250 and 300 persons and the abduction of about 400 others.

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Other affected states mentioned include Benue, Adamawa, Plateau, and Kaduna, where dozens of deaths and abductions were recorded within the same period.

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Umeagbalasi also disclosed that at least one Catholic priest and a pastor, identified as Rev. Joshua Aliya of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ, were among those killed in recent attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states.

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The organisation called for urgent and decisive action to address the persistent insecurity and protect vulnerable communities across the country.

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