Intersociety claims 3,610 killed, 3,960 abducted by terrorists in six months

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By Jeff Agbodo

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The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has claimed that suspected Islamic terrorist groups killed 3,610 people and abducted 3,960 others across Nigeria between January and June 2026.

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The human rights organisation also alleged that about 300 churches were destroyed, while 800 abducted Christian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam during the six-month period.

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The claims were contained in the group’s mid-year report, signed by its Board Chairman, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi.

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According to the report, the organisation documented what it described as 22 categories of international crimes allegedly committed by terrorist groups, including killings, abductions, destruction of places of worship and forced religious conversion.

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Intersociety alleged that the victims included about 2,550 Christians and 1,050 Muslims killed, while 2,800 Christians and 1,150 Muslims were abducted during the period.

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The report also claimed that 10 Christian pastors were killed, another 10 abducted, and 300 churches attacked or destroyed.

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It further alleged that Plateau and southern Borno states recorded the highest number of Christian fatalities, while southern Borno and southern Kaduna recorded the highest number of Christian abductions.

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According to the organisation, attacks were also reported in Benue, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Imo, Enugu and Abia states, among others.

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The report further alleged that at least 850 Muslim civilians were killed by jihadist groups during the period, while about 850 others were abducted. It also claimed that about 200 Muslim civilians died in military airstrikes in Yobe, Borno and Zamfara states.

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Intersociety further alleged 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.

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The organisation called on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, to resign, accusing her of downplaying religious persecution in Nigeria following her recent visit to the country.

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It also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, alleging that authorities had failed to adequately address the situation through domestic legal mechanisms or seek international intervention where necessary.

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The Federal Government and security agencies had not responded to the allegations contained in the report as of the time of filing this report.

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