An estimated 30,000 armed Fulani fighters are reportedly active across Nigeria, operating in groups ranging from a few dozen to nearly 1,000 members, according to a May 2026 report issued by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
The report described the militants as among the most dangerous non-state groups contributing to violations of religious freedom in the country.
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In the publication titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” USCIRF stated that attacks linked to armed individuals of Fulani origin have worsened insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and southern regions, resulting in thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and rising religious tensions.
According to the commission, violence attributed to Fulani militant groups accounted for more fatalities among religious communities in the past year than attacks carried out by insurgent organisations or criminal gangs.
The report noted that Christian populations were frequently targeted, although Muslim communities have also experienced killings, abductions, and raids.
USCIRF explained that while the militants do not operate under a unified command structure, some factions reportedly collaborate with bandit groups and extremist networks.
“These groups function under different circumstances and appear driven by varying motives,” the report stated.
It added that although many attacks are carried out independently, some militants occasionally cooperate with criminal gangs seeking profit as well as terrorist organisations promoting violent extremist ideologies.
The commission said attackers often strike remote villages at night, arriving on motorcycles and armed with automatic rifles and machetes.
According to the report, the militants use fear and violence to force residents to flee, enabling them to gain greater control over contested land.
USCIRF stated that attacks by Fulani militants and other armed groups have displaced at least 1.3 million people across the Middle Belt, many of whom now live in overcrowded camps with poor sanitation and limited protection.
The report highlighted several deadly incidents recorded in 2025 and early 2026, including large-scale attacks in Benue and Plateau states.
One incident in Benue in June 2025 reportedly claimed the lives of more than 200 people, including displaced persons sheltering at a Catholic mission.
The commission also referenced the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where over 200 Christians — mostly women and children — were allegedly killed, while more than 3,000 residents were forced to flee.
USCIRF further alleged that some assaults were intentionally carried out during major Christian celebrations such as Christmas and Easter to intensify psychological trauma.
The report stated that in February 2026, suspected Fulani militants killed at least 32 people in Niger State and attacked Holy Trinity Parish in Kaduna State’s Kafanchan Diocese, leaving three dead and abducting 11 others, including parish priest Father Nathaniel Asuwaye.
Kidnappings involving both Christian and Muslim worshippers were also documented.
In one case cited by USCIRF, armed men abducted an imam and seven worshippers from a mosque in Plateau State in February 2026 and reportedly demanded a ransom of N16 million.
The commission added that attacks carried out during Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations in April 2026 left dozens dead across Plateau, Kaduna, and Benue states.
On Easter Sunday, militants reportedly attacked two churches in Kaduna State, killing five worshippers and kidnapping 31 others.
USCIRF said differing interpretations of the violence have complicated attempts to fully understand the motives behind the attacks.
The report noted that while some analysts attribute the conflict to environmental pressures and economic disputes, others believe the violence reflects a coordinated campaign targeting non-Muslims, particularly Christians.
According to the commission, the crisis is likely driven by a combination of overlapping factors, including religion in many instances.
The report criticised both federal and state authorities for what it called inadequate responses to the worsening violence.
USCIRF stated that many victims have repeatedly complained about delayed interventions by security forces during attacks.
The commission also said some Christian groups accused security agencies of bias in favour of Muslim communities during investigations and security operations.
The report mentioned that governors from 11 states introduced a ranching initiative in June 2025 aimed at reducing disputes over grazing land and farming territories.
At the national level, USCIRF linked renewed government action to former US President Donald Trump’s October 2025 decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom abuses.
Following that designation, President Bola Tinubu reportedly classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists in December 2025.
USCIRF further stated that security forces rescued 309 hostages during operations in Kogi and Kwara states in January 2026, arresting 129 suspected militants and killing 55 others.
The commission also pointed to increased scrutiny of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
Christian leaders have accused the group of failing to curb violent activities and land encroachments linked to militants, allegations the association denied.
According to the report, MACBAN insisted it does not encourage or support violence, extremism, or criminal behaviour.
USCIRF added that the US Congress introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in February, proposing sanctions against MACBAN over alleged involvement in serious religious freedom abuses.
Despite new security measures and peace-building efforts, the commission warned that the violence continues to spread across central Nigeria.
The report concluded that the region remains trapped in a persistent security crisis and warned that the situation may continue unless federal and state governments address the deeper conditions affecting religious freedom and public safety.
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