The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has claimed that nearly 30,000 armed militants are currently operating across Nigeria, contributing significantly to religious violence and insecurity in several parts of the country.
In its May 2026 report titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” the commission stated that the armed groups, which operate in units ranging from 10 to 1,000 members, have emerged as some of the deadliest non-state actors responsible for violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
According to USCIRF, the militants have intensified attacks across the Middle Belt and Southern regions, resulting in thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and rising tensions among religious communities. The report noted that the violence caused by these militants accounted for more deaths among religious groups in the past year than attacks carried out by insurgents or criminal gangs.
While many attacks reportedly targeted Christian communities, the commission said Muslim communities had also experienced killings, raids, and kidnappings.
USCIRF explained that although the militants do not operate under a unified command structure, some groups collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist organisations. The report stated that the attackers often invade isolated rural communities at night using motorcycles, automatic weapons, and machetes to instill fear and force residents off their land.
The commission estimated that the violence has displaced at least 1.3 million people in the Middle Belt, with many victims living in overcrowded camps lacking proper sanitation and security.
The report highlighted several deadly incidents recorded in 2025 and early 2026, including attacks in Benue and Plateau states. One assault in Benue in June 2025 reportedly killed over 200 people, including displaced persons sheltering in a Catholic mission.
USCIRF also referenced the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where more than 200 Christians — mostly women and children — were allegedly killed, while over 3,000 residents were displaced.
According to the report, some attacks were deliberately carried out during Christian celebrations such as Christmas and Easter to increase psychological trauma among victims.
The commission further documented attacks in Niger, Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue states in early 2026, including assaults on churches and mosques, killings, kidnappings, and ransom demands.
USCIRF acknowledged that there are differing opinions regarding the motives behind the violence. While some observers blame environmental pressures and economic disputes, others believe the attacks amount to a coordinated campaign against Christians. The commission concluded that several overlapping factors, including religion, likely drive the violence.
The report criticised federal and state authorities for failing to respond effectively, noting that victims frequently complained about delayed security intervention during attacks. Some Christian groups also accused security agencies of favouring Muslim communities during investigations and operations.
USCIRF noted that 11 state governors launched a ranching initiative in June 2025 aimed at reducing clashes between herders and farmers. It also linked renewed federal action to former US President Donald Trump’s October 2025 decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.
Following the designation, President Bola Tinubu reportedly classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists in December 2025.
The report added that Nigerian security agencies rescued 309 kidnapped victims during operations in Kogi and Kwara states in January 2026, arresting 129 suspected militants and killing 55 others.
USCIRF also mentioned growing scrutiny of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), which has faced accusations from Christian leaders of failing to curb militant activities. The association, however, denied supporting any form of violence or criminality.
Despite recent security measures and peace efforts, USCIRF warned that insecurity in central Nigeria remains severe and persistent, urging authorities to create conditions that better support religious freedom and public safety.
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