The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) reports that 3,083 Christians were killed and 3,193 abducted in attacks allegedly linked to Islamic extremist groups from January to August 2026.
The organization also states that 400 churches were attacked during this period, with 25 priests and pastors either killed or abducted.
Chairman of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi, announced this in a statement reflecting the group’s assessment of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
He explained that 437 Christians were killed and 393 abducted in July and August 2026.
Umeagbalasi noted that 138 Christians lost their lives and 180 were abducted in August alone, with many incidents reported in Plateau and Benue states.
He added that the organization's figures are based on information from residents, survivors, and eyewitnesses in affected areas.
Umeagbalasi claimed that attacks attributed by the organization to armed Fulani groups made up a significant portion of the incidents during this period.
He emphasized that Intersociety’s reports focus specifically on attacks it considers to be religiously motivated and connected to Islamist extremist groups.
The organization reported that 299 Christians were killed and 213 abducted in July 2026.
Umeagbalasi also cited several incidents in August, including reported killings of Christians in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Adamawa states.
He mentioned that Intersociety has also included what it describes as “dark figures” in its estimates to account for victims whose fates could not be independently verified.
Regarding abductions, Umeagbalasi claimed that at least 92 Christian travelers were kidnapped in events recorded in Benue, Kogi, and Ondo states in August.
He also referenced the reported abduction of Christians in Imo, Edo, Kaduna, Plateau, Enugu, and other states.
According to his analysis, roughly 120 of the 180 Christians abducted in August were from the Southeast.
He stated that the organization identified several Eastern travelers among those reportedly kidnapped while traveling to Lagos and Abuja.
Umeagbalasi further cited the reported abduction of passengers traveling in commercial vehicles in the Southwest, including an incident in Ondo State.
However, the casualty and abduction figures mentioned are claims made by Intersociety and have not been independently verified.
The organization called for increased protection for vulnerable communities and better security measures to prevent further attacks and abductions.
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