Friday, July 3, 2026 - 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. T
The human rights organization 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.
The claims were contained in the group’s mid-year report,
signed by its Board Chairman, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi. 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.
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. The report also claimed that 10 Christian
pastors were killed, another 10 abducted, and 300 churches attacked or
destroyed.
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.
According to the organization, attacks were also reported in
Benue, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo, Ondo, Delta,
Edo, Imo, Enugu and Abia states, among others.
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.
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.
The organization 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.
It also criticized 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.
The Federal Government and security agencies had not responded to the allegations contained in the report as of the time of filing this report
0 Comments