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In its latest report, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has raised a disturbing alarm over the renewed wave of religiously motivated violence sweeping through Nigeria, disclosing that no fewer than 100 Christians were brutally killed and 120 others abducted within a span of 76 days — from August 10 to October 26, 2025.

This is coming amidst continued debate centering around acts of genocide against Christians in the country.

The human rights organization described the killings as “unchecked, untamed, widespread, coordinated and systematic attacks by Islamic Jihadists and their enablers, aiders and abettors” targeting defenseless Christians across all six geopolitical zones of the country.

According to Intersociety’s report signed by its head, Emeka Umeagbalasi, alongside Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Chidinma Udegbunam, and Ogochukwu Obi, the North-Central region remains the worst hit, followed by the North-West, North-East, South-West (including Yoruba parts of Kwara and Kogi), South-East (with about 700 forest locations allegedly under jihadist siege), and the South-South region, particularly parts of Edo and Delta States.

The report stated, “In the past 76 days, no fewer than 100 defenseless Christians were targeted and killed and 120 others abducted, out of which at least 12 are likely not coming back alive from the hands of their jihadist captors.”

It further revealed that the Fulani militants operating under the guise of “herders” were responsible for an estimated 80 of the killings and 110 abductions, while Boko Haram insurgents accounted for the remaining 20 deaths and 10 abductions.

The findings were supported by various media and human rights reports, including those from The Guardian, Daily Trust, Truth-Nigeria, Sahara Reporters, Morning Star News, and International Christian Concern.

Citing an example, Intersociety noted that on October 14, 2025, 13 Christians from the Berom ethnic nationality in Rochas village, Barkin Ladi County, Plateau State, were massacred by Fulani militants. The slain included Solomon Dung Choji (43), Sunday Gyang Chollom (29), Davou Mallam Chollom (24), Kefas Dung Sambo (29), Chollom Danjuma Chollom (37), Christina Davou Chollom (27), Marvelous Chollom (8), Japhet Solomon (14), Ntyang Chollom Danjuma (6), Mary Monday (10), Mancha Monday (12), Solomon Chung (40), and Musa Dung Bot (32).

In Southern Kaduna, nine Christians were reportedly killed and eight others critically wounded in Kachia, while Boko Haram insurgents killed eight Christians in Gwoza and Askira Uba on August 30 and 31, 2025. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, was quoted condemning the killings, lamenting that “several houses were also burned during the attack.”

In another incident on October 21, 2025, 12 Christians, including a medical doctor and several patients, were abducted in Kujama, Southern Kaduna, while similar abductions occurred in Gidan Busa and Kwakwahu villages in Kaduna and Adamawa States, respectively.

In Kwara, leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that “numerous Christians have been killed, abducted or displaced in recent months by Fulani bandits invading Yoruba parts of Kwara, Kogi, and Nasarawa from different fronts.” The attacks, they said, had also resulted in the destruction and sacking of several churches.

The report added that more than 1,000 Christian hostages remain in captivity in the Rijana Forest camps of Kaduna State, with over 120 believed to have died in captivity since February 2025.

Truth-Nigeria also reported the discovery of new “mass hostage camps” across Benue State, especially within forests bordering Oturkpo, Ogbadibo, Ado, Agatu, and Apa counties. According to the report, “The hostage takers are 99% Fulani ethnic militia and their victims are Christian passengers plying dangerous roads.”

Intersociety’s detailed record of attacks lists dozens of killings between August and October, including the decapitation of Christian farmers in Benue, the abduction and murder of 20 Christian worshippers in Orlu, Imo State, and the killing of seven children in Kauru, Southern Kaduna.

On October 5, 2025, Fulani herdsmen reportedly attacked Onoli Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing a local Christian and injuring several others, while police allegedly detained victims’ relatives rather than protecting them.

Intersociety’s report also drew attention to prominent Nigerians it described as “victims of Christian persecution”, including Bishop Hassan Kukah, Lawyer Daniel Bwala, and Senator Ali Ndume. The group claimed that although these figures have suffered in the hands of jihadists, “they have chosen to battle their consciences by misrepresenting facts about religious freedom in Nigeria.”

While Senator Ndume has been vocal against jihadist violence in Borno South, Intersociety accused him of “allegedly converting to Islam for political reasons.” Similarly, Daniel Bwala, it said, “once spoke out against Christian persecution but now sides with perpetrators for political gains.” Bishop Kukah, once regarded as a strong defender of persecuted Christians, was accused of “inconsistency and political closeness to central power.”

The group lamented what it described as the “gross retardation of Catholicism in Northern Nigeria”, blaming it on the incessant jihadist attacks, imposition of blasphemy laws, and government indifference. It noted that “the Diocese of Sokoto under Bishop Kukah, with 32 parishes and 16 outstations, is becoming one of the most threatened Catholic dioceses in Northern Nigeria.”

According to the report, “The Catholic Mission in Nigeria recorded a total of 15 abductions involving its priests in 2025 alone, with at least five killed or missing.” Sixteen dioceses, especially in the North, are reportedly facing “serious threats of extinction and moral devastation.”

The report also observed that “since President Bola Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, not less than 22,000 defenseless Christians have been killed, and hundreds of churches destroyed or burned.”

Intersociety concluded by warning that Nigeria is on the brink of a faith-based humanitarian catastrophe unless decisive action is taken by both the government and the international community.

“The massacres, abductions, and persecution of Christians are part of a systematic religicide threatening the very soul of Nigeria,” said Emeka Umeagbalasi, calling for urgent global intervention.

The report was jointly signed by Umeagbalasi (Criminologist and Researcher), Igboeli (Human Rights Lawyer), Udegbunam (Head, Campaign and Publicity), and Obi (Deputy Head, International Justice and Human Rights).

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