A civil rights organisation, International Society for Civil Rights and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has raised fresh concerns over what it describes as escalating killings and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, alleging widespread violence and deepening state complicity.
The group, known for its advocacy on human rights and rule of law, claimed that attacks on Christian communities and churches have intensified in recent months, despite repeated denials by the Federal Government of Nigeria that there is any targeted religious violence in the country.
In a statement issued on Monday and jointly signed by its leadership—including Head of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi—the organisation alleged that the scale of violence has continued to expand, with what it described as “unchecked involvement of state actors.”
According to the group, at least 1,402 Christians were killed and 1,800 abducted between January 1 and April 6, 2026—a 96-day period it says reflects a worsening security situation. It further claimed that an additional 350 deaths and 110 abductions were recorded in early April alone, including incidents during the Easter period.
Intersociety attributed some of the deaths to conditions in captivity, alleging that victims succumbed to torture, starvation, untreated injuries, and other forms of inhumane treatment. It estimated that roughly one in every ten abducted victims does not survive.
The organisation also accused the government of spending significant resources on international lobbying efforts aimed at countering narratives of what it termed “Christian genocide,” while failing to address the root causes of insecurity.
It further alleged bias within the security architecture, claiming that certain armed groups have been shielded, and referenced statements it said were made by affiliated groups promoting extremist ideologies.
The group identified several states as major hotspots for the reported violence, including Benue State, Kaduna State, Borno State, Plateau State, Zamfara State, Taraba State, Adamawa State, and Niger State, among others.
Intersociety also expressed concern over the growing number of internally displaced persons, noting that thousands of affected Christians are currently taking refuge in camps across the country.
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian government has not issued a response to the latest claims.
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