A new report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has revealed that an estimated 30,000 armed Fulani militants are currently operating across Nigeria, contributing significantly to the country’s worsening insecurity.
The report, released in May 2026 and titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” described the armed groups as some of the deadliest non-state actors responsible for religious freedom violations in the country.
According to the commission, the militants operate in groups ranging from 10 to 1,000 members and have intensified attacks across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and Southern regions, resulting in deaths, displacement of communities, and heightened religious tensions.
The report stated that attacks linked to Fulani militants recorded the highest number of deaths among religious communities in Nigeria within the last year, surpassing casualties caused by insurgent groups and criminal gangs.
While many of the attacks reportedly targeted Christian communities, the commission noted that Muslim communities had also suffered raids, kidnappings, and killings.
USCIRF explained that although the groups lack a central leadership structure, some militants collaborate with bandits and extremist organisations.
The commission added that the attackers often invade isolated rural communities at night using motorcycles, machetes, and automatic weapons to instill fear and force residents to abandon their lands.
According to the report, at least 1.3 million people have been displaced across the Middle Belt due to attacks by Fulani militants and other armed groups, with many victims now living in overcrowded camps lacking adequate security and sanitation.
The report cited several deadly incidents in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger states between 2025 and early 2026, including attacks on churches and religious gatherings.
Among the incidents highlighted was the reported killing of over 200 people, including displaced persons sheltering in a Catholic mission in Benue State in June 2025.
The commission also referenced attacks carried out during Christian religious celebrations such as Easter and Christmas, noting that some militants deliberately timed operations to maximise psychological impact.
USCIRF further criticised the response of federal and state authorities, alleging that security agencies were often slow to respond to attacks on affected communities.
The report noted that differing narratives surrounding the violence have continued to fuel debates over whether the attacks are driven by religion, economic interests, environmental pressures, or land disputes.
Despite ongoing security operations and peace initiatives, the commission warned that insecurity remains widespread in central Nigeria.
The report concluded that the crisis may persist unless governments at various levels create conditions that promote safety, justice, and the protection of religious freedom for all citizens.
