The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) has claimed that 3,083 Christians were killed and 3,193 abducted in Nigeria between January and August 2026, raising fresh concerns over attacks on Christian communities, places of worship and travellers.
The organisation made the claims in its latest report released in Enugu on Sunday, attributing the attacks to groups it described as Islamic jihadist groups operating across the country.
InterSociety also claimed that about 19,800 churches had been attacked or destroyed across Nigeria since July 2009, while 25 Catholic priests, pastors and other Christian clergy were allegedly killed, abducted or assaulted between January and August 2026.
The report was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, a criminologist, security studies graduate and Lead Researcher and Head of InterSociety Nigeria; Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, Barrister at Law and Head of Campaign and Publicity; and Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Barrister at Law and Head of Civil Liberties and Rule of Law.
According to the organisation, 437 Christians were killed and 393 abducted in July and August alone.
It said 138 Christians were killed and 180 abducted in August, with Plateau and Benue among the states where several of the reported attacks occurred.
InterSociety further claimed that the August killings affected communities in Adamawa and Kaduna, while reported abductions occurred in Kogi, Benue, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Enugu and other states.
South-East Travellers Allegedly Targeted
InterSociety claimed that about 70 per cent of the Christians abducted in August were from the South-East, particularly Igbo travellers using major interstate roads.
It cited reported abductions involving passengers travelling towards Lagos and Abuja through Kogi, Benue and Ondo states, as well as incidents involving Christian residents in Imo and Enugu.
Among the cases highlighted by the organisation was the alleged abduction of a 10-month-old baby and six other Christians at Ndegwu in Imo State.
It also cited passengers and National Youth Service Corps members who were reportedly kidnapped while travelling through Kogi State.
Based on its assessment, InterSociety estimated that 120 of the 180 Christians abducted in August were likely to have been Igbo.
The organisation said its figures were compiled from primary and secondary sources, including accounts from residents, survivors and eyewitnesses in communities affected by the violence.
It attributed about 90 per cent of the attacks recorded during the period to what it described as jihadist Fulani herdsmen and jihadist Fulani bandits.
Nearly 20,000 Churches Allegedly Attacked
InterSociety said the violence had also taken a significant toll on Christian places of worship.
The organisation estimated that the number of churches attacked or destroyed since July 2009 rose from about 19,400 at the end of 2025 to 19,700 by June 2026 and approximately 19,800 by the end of August 2026.
It claimed that at least 230 churches in parts of Taraba State were attacked or destroyed between September 2025 and August 2026.
The group further alleged that more than 100,000 Catholic parishioners had been displaced, while about 200 Christian villages were reportedly sacked, forcing residents to flee their homes.
According to the report, the Catholic dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo were among those particularly affected.
InterSociety alleged that 16 priests were forced to abandon their pastoral duties and that at least eight parish houses were razed during the attacks.
The organisation also cited the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST), which it said had reported losing 5,987 members and 753 churches to attacks by armed Fulani groups in Benue State.
It further recalled that the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) had previously reported losing more than 8,600 members and hundreds of worship centres to Boko Haram attacks, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states.
InterSociety estimated that the number of EYN members killed in jihadist violence had subsequently risen to about 21,000.
InterSociety Calls for Urgent Government Action
The organisation called on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen protection for vulnerable Christian communities, places of worship and travellers using major highways.
InterSociety said its latest assessment focused specifically on attacks it considered religiously motivated and allegedly perpetrated by jihadist groups.
It added that the report also examined what it described as alleged involvement or support by armed state actors.
The figures, classifications and attribution contained in the report represent InterSociety’s assessment and allegations. They have not been independently verified in the report.
