Insecurity: US Panel Accuses Police, Army Of Collusion In Militias’ Attacks

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has accused some officers of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army of colluding with armed Fulani militias in deadly attacks and mass abductions targeting religious communities across the country.

The commission made the allegation in a May 2026 report titled “Non-state Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” where it also called on the US Congress to restrict lobbying activities on behalf of governments previously blacklisted for severe religious freedom violations.

It further alleged that insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt had forced at least 1.3 million people from their homes, with armed groups operating across multiple regions and contributing to widespread displacement and instability.

According to the report, “the fates of all these kidnapping victims, like so many others, remain unknown to the public due to the sensitivity of ransom negotiations and, in some cases, possible collusion between perpetrators and some officials from the police and/or army.”

It added that conflicting narratives and alleged government censorship had complicated efforts to properly identify and understand the motivations of armed groups operating in rural communities.

The commission also estimated that about 30,000 armed actors operate in loosely organised groups across Nigeria, with frequent attacks on isolated villages, often carried out at night using motorcycles and automatic weapons.

Describing patterns of violence, the report stated: “They often wield machetes and descend on vulnerable communities during the night, eliciting terror as a way to force victims to quickly leave and to achieve greater control of desired land.”

It cited several incidents, including reported mass killings in Benue and Plateau States in 2025 and early 2026, with one attack allegedly killing at least 200 people in Benue, including internally displaced persons at a Catholic mission.

The report also referenced the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where over 200 Christians were reportedly killed and thousands displaced, as well as attacks on churches and mosques across Kaduna, Plateau, and Niger States.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reportedly said President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to prioritise Nigerian Christians targeted by ISIS, linking recent operations to the killing of ISIS’ second-in-command in Nigeria.

The commission further urged US lawmakers to prioritise humanitarian support for displaced populations and called for stricter oversight of foreign assistance to countries designated as violators of religious freedom.

Reacting to the report, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) said the findings aligned with long-standing concerns about possible insider collaboration, with its president, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, alleging that some security personnel and political actors were aiding insurgents.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, also said the report should not be dismissed, arguing that persistent insecurity suggests possible sabotage within the security system and urging deeper investigation.

The Nigerian Police Force and Defence Headquarters did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the allegations.