30,000 Fulani Militants Fueling Nigeria’s Insecurity — US Report

A new report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has claimed that an estimated 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria in groups ranging from 10 to 1,000 members, significantly contributing to rising insecurity in the country.

The report, titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” said these armed actors are among the deadliest non-state groups responsible for religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

It alleged that violence linked to Fulani militants has intensified insecurity across the Middle Belt and southern regions, resulting in thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and deepening tensions between religious communities.

According to the report, “Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year as compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs.”

USCIRF stated that while attacks have largely affected Christian communities, Muslim populations have also suffered killings, kidnappings, and raids.

The commission noted that although the groups lack centralised leadership, some reportedly collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist organisations.

It also described patterns of rural attacks involving motorcycles, firearms, and machetes, often targeting isolated communities at night.

The report further claimed that such violence has displaced at least 1.3 million people in the Middle Belt, forcing many into overcrowded camps with limited access to basic services.

It cited several incidents in 2025 and early 2026, including mass killings in Benue and Plateau states, some of which reportedly resulted in over 200 deaths in single attacks.

USCIRF also alleged that some attacks were timed around Christian religious holidays to increase psychological impact, while also documenting kidnappings in both churches and mosques.

The report criticised Nigerian authorities for what it described as slow and inadequate responses to attacks, and raised concerns about security force effectiveness and neutrality in some operations.

It added that recent government and international policy responses, including Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States, had influenced countermeasures such as increased anti-banditry operations and hostage rescues.

Despite these efforts, the commission warned that insecurity in central Nigeria remains persistent, describing the situation as “intense, daily, and seemingly perpetual,” and urging stronger long-term measures to address the crisis.