A new report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) estimates that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria, contributing to ongoing insecurity in several parts of the country, particularly the Middle Belt and some southern regions.
The report, released in May 2026 and titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” says the armed groups operate in dispersed clusters ranging from small units of about 10 fighters to larger formations of up to 1,000 members.
According to the commission, these groups have emerged as major nonstate actors linked to repeated violent attacks that have worsened insecurity, triggered large-scale displacement, and deepened tensions between communities.
The report says violence associated with the groups accounted for a significant number of deaths across religious communities over the past year, surpassing fatalities from some other organized criminal and insurgent incidents.
USCIRF noted that both Christian and Muslim communities have been affected, although many of the attacks were reported in rural farming settlements across the Middle Belt region. The commission said the groups do not operate under a centralized command, though some reportedly collaborate with criminal gangs and other armed networks, making the security challenge more complex.
It described the typical mode of operation as night-time raids on isolated communities, often involving motorcycles, firearms and machetes. “They often descend on vulnerable communities at night, creating fear and forcing residents to flee in order to gain control of land,” the report said.
The commission estimated that at least 1.3 million people have been displaced in the Middle Belt as a result of sustained attacks involving armed groups and other violent actors.
It cited several incidents, including a 2025 attack in Benue State in which more than 200 people were reportedly killed at a Catholic mission housing internally displaced persons. Another 2025 incident in Benue — the Yelwata attack — also reportedly left more than 200 dead and thousands displaced.
The report said some attacks appeared timed around major religious celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, heightening fear among affected communities. In one highlighted case, suspected attackers reportedly killed 32 people in Niger State in early 2026. Another attack in Kaduna State targeted a church, leaving worshippers dead and others abducted, including a priest.
USCIRF also documented kidnappings involving both churches and mosques, including an incident in Plateau State in which an imam and several worshippers were abducted and ransom was demanded.
The commission noted differing interpretations of the violence, with some observers linking it to economic and environmental pressures tied to herding activities, while others describe it as targeted religious persecution. USCIRF said multiple and overlapping factors — from resource competition to criminal activity — are likely driving the crisis.
The report raised concerns about the response of security agencies, saying victims often report delays in intervention during attacks. It acknowledged recent government actions, including intensified military operations and the designation of violent armed groups as terrorist organizations in late 2025. USCIRF added that security forces have carried out rescue operations that freed hundreds of hostages and that several suspects have been arrested or neutralized.
Despite these measures, the commission warned that insecurity in central Nigeria remains severe and persistent, with many communities still vulnerable to repeated attacks. It concluded that lasting progress will depend on stronger security coordination, improved governance and sustained efforts to address the root causes of rural violence and displacement.
