Over 3,500 Nigerians killed in first half of 2026, rights group alleges

Intersociety, a human‑rights group, released a report on Thursday, July 4, 2026 alleging that about 3,550 Nigerians were killed between January and June 2026. Of those, 2,550 were Christians and 1,050 Muslims. The group also said 2,800 Christians and 1,150 Muslims were abducted in the same period, 300 churches were destroyed, ten Christian pastors were killed and another ten abducted, and roughly 800 Christian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam while in captivity.

The highest death tolls were recorded in Plateau State (about 420 deaths, mainly blamed on Fulani ethnic militias) and southern Borno (about 400 deaths, attributed to Boko Haram). Significant numbers were also reported in Benue, Taraba, and across many other states including Southern Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Bauchi, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Southern Kaduna, Zamfara, Northern Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina.

Intersociety accused the federal government of failing to prosecute perpetrators under domestic law or to invite the International Criminal Court prosecutor under the complementarity principle, calling it a clear case of state unwillingness and inability to act.

What should you know or do? The report urges authorities to either prosecute those responsible under Nigerian law or invite the ICC to intervene, and urges communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local security agencies.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/04/3550-nigerians-killed-within-six-months-intersociety/