US Report Links 30,000 Armed Fulani Militants to Nigeria’s Insecurity

A new report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has raised fresh concern over the role of armed Fulani militant groups in Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

According to the May 2026 report, an estimated 30,000 armed militants linked to Fulani ethnic backgrounds are operating across parts of Nigeria in groups ranging from small units to larger formations of up to 1,000 fighters. The report identified them as some of the deadliest non-state actors involved in attacks affecting religious freedom in the country.

The report, titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” said the violence has been most visible in the Middle Belt and parts of southern Nigeria, where communities have faced repeated raids, killings, kidnappings and displacement.

Report Links Militants to Rising Violence in Rural Communities

USCIRF said attacks attributed to armed Fulani militant groups have contributed heavily to insecurity across rural communities, especially in areas already affected by land disputes, weak policing, farmer-herder tensions, criminal activity and religious conflict.

The commission said many of the attacks have targeted Christian communities, while also noting that Muslim communities have suffered killings, raids and kidnappings.

According to the report, the groups do not operate under one central command. Some act independently, while others allegedly coordinate with bandit groups and extremist organisations. This makes the crisis more complex because the violence is driven by several overlapping factors, including criminal profit, land access, ethnic tension and religion.

Middle Belt Communities Bear Heavy Cost

The report said attacks by Fulani militants and other armed groups have displaced at least 1.3 million people in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Many of those affected now live in overcrowded camps with poor sanitation, limited protection and weak access to basic services.

USCIRF also cited several attacks recorded in 2025 and early 2026, including incidents in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Niger states.

One of the deadliest incidents mentioned in the report was a June 2025 attack in Benue State, where at least 200 people were reportedly killed, including displaced persons sheltering in a Catholic mission. The report also referenced the Yelwata attack in Benue, where more than 200 Christians were reportedly killed and over 3,000 people displaced.

Attacks on Churches and Mosques Raise Wider Security Concerns

The report said some attacks were timed around Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter, allegedly to increase fear and psychological impact on affected communities.

In February 2026, suspected militants reportedly killed at least 32 people in Niger State. The report also cited an attack on Holy Trinity Parish in the Kafanchan Diocese of Kaduna State, where three people were killed and 11 others, including a priest, were abducted.

However, the report also noted that Muslim worshippers have been targeted. In one incident in Plateau State, armed men reportedly kidnapped an imam and seven worshippers from a mosque, with a ransom demand of N16 million.

This shows that while Christian communities have been heavily affected, the insecurity has also spread beyond one religious group.

USCIRF Says Causes Are Complex

The commission warned against reducing the crisis to one explanation.

It said some analysts see the violence mainly as a result of environmental pressure, shrinking grazing routes, farmer-herder disputes and economic hardship. Others argue that some attacks show signs of religious targeting, especially against Christian communities.

USCIRF concluded that the violence is likely driven by multiple factors at once, including religion in many cases.

That point is important because Nigeria’s insecurity has become increasingly difficult to classify. In many affected areas, criminal gangs, armed herders, extremist groups, and local militias operate within the same fragile security environment.

Government Response Comes Under Criticism

The report criticised federal and state authorities for what it described as slow and inadequate responses to attacks.

It said victims in affected communities have long complained that security forces often arrive late, allowing attackers to escape before intervention. It also noted allegations by some Christian advocates that security agencies have shown bias in investigations and security operations, though such claims remain politically sensitive.

USCIRF linked recent federal action to the October 2025 decision by former US President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations. After that designation, President Bola Tinubu reportedly classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists in December 2025.

The report also said security agencies rescued 309 hostages in January 2026 during operations in Kogi and Kwara states, while arresting 129 suspected Fulani militants and killing 55 others.

MACBAN Denies Supporting Violence

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria also came under scrutiny in the report.

Some Christian leaders have accused the group of failing to stop militant violence and land invasions. However, MACBAN denied any link to criminal activity, insisting that it does not support or protect violence, extremism or criminality.

USCIRF also noted that the US Congress introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in February, proposing possible sanctions against MACBAN over allegations connected to religious freedom violations.

FAQs

What did the USCIRF report say about Nigeria?

The report said an estimated 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria and contributing to insecurity, displacement and religious freedom violations.

Which parts of Nigeria are most affected?

The report focused heavily on the Middle Belt and parts of southern Nigeria, with references to attacks in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi and Kwara states.

Did the report say only Christians were affected?

No. The report said many attacks targeted Christian communities, but it also noted that Muslim communities have suffered raids, killings and kidnappings.

What is the Nigerian government doing?

According to the report, the Federal Government has classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists. Security agencies have also carried out rescue and arrest operations in some states.

Why is the issue difficult to resolve?

The crisis involves several overlapping factors, including criminal gangs, land conflict, farmer-herder disputes, weak security response, displacement and religious tension.