•InterSociety identifies perpetrators, alleges cover-up by security agencies

By BONIFACE AKARAH

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has reported that at least 7,500 Christians were killed across Africa between January 1 and October 10, 2026, with Nigeria accounting for between 3,426 and 4,300 of the reported deaths.

The organisation disclosed this in a report dated October 13, 2026, in Enugu, in which it also estimated that 3,395 Christians were abducted in Nigeria and more than 1,000 churches were attacked, destroyed or burned across Africa during the period.

Intersociety, which said its findings were based on a 30-page compilation of data from media reports, affected communities, research bodies, survivors and eyewitnesses, alleged that jihadist groups were responsible for the attacks and accused Nigerian authorities and security forces of complicity and cover-ups.

“From our monitored statistics, no fewer than 7,500 Christians have been killed since January 2026 or in the past nine months and ten days (January-October 10, 2026) by Islamic Jihadists mainly linked to Islamic State Jihadists and independent local Islamic Jihadists; out of which, Nigeria accounted for at least 65% or ‘4,300’,” the organisation stated.

It added that Nigeria accounted for about 42 per cent of the estimated 1,000 churches attacked, destroyed or burned across the continent during the period.

343 Christian deaths recorded in 40 days

Intersociety said its tracking of incidents in Nigeria between September 1 and October 10 recorded at least 343 Christian deaths, 202 abductions, ten churches destroyed, eight pastors abducted and two pastors killed.

“Relatedly, according to InterSociety latest statistics, ‘in 40 days of Sept 1 to Oct 10, 2026, our tracked and collected data showed that no fewer than 343 Christian deaths were recorded including 130 in Plateau and 64 in Adamawa States-during which 202 others were abducted, ten churches destroyed, eight pastors abducted and two killed,” the report stated.

The organisation further alleged that 150 Christian schoolchildren had spent 150 days in Boko Haram captivity since May 2026. It also claimed that indigenous Christian communities in Kebbi State had been threatened by members of the Lakurawa group.

According to the report, the affected communities were allegedly told to “Pay Islamic Tax, Convert to Islam or Die”.

The group also accused security agencies of failing to respond impartially to attacks against Christian communities.

“It was also observed that partisanship and cover-ups of the Nigerian Security Forces in handling the attacks against Christians especially those masterminded by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Jihadist Fulani Bandits have risen to an apogee and intensity,” Intersociety stated.

It alleged that some security personnel had shifted blame to victims, protected suspected perpetrators and misrepresented events on the ground.

“Reports of security forces’ compromises include shifting blames, going after the victim parties instead of the attackers and shielding or protecting the perpetrators, twisting the facts on the ground, etc.,” the organisation added.

Plateau, Adamawa among states cited

Intersociety reported that at least 130 Christians were killed in Plateau State during the 40-day period under review, alleging that some victims were beheaded. It also cited attacks in Adamawa State, particularly in Gombi and Hong local government areas.

“In Adamawa State where Boko Haram launched series of coordinated attacks against more than twelve Christian communities in Gombi and Hong Local Government Areas particularly between Sept 7 and Oct 8; killing no fewer than 40 Christians and abducting 50 others including several tertiary and secondary school students-with at least three churches destroyed,” the report stated.

The organisation also cited incidents in Benue, Bauchi, Kaduna, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, Sokoto, Imo and Abia states, alleging various cases of killings, kidnappings, attacks on churches and abductions of travellers and community members.

In Southern Kaduna, it claimed that at least 50 Christians were abducted and 20 killed in 40 days in areas including Chikun and Kachia. It further alleged that about 800 Christians abducted in 2024 and 2025 remained in captivity in forests around Rijana.

In Abia State, the report raised concerns over alleged kidnapping camps in Umunneochi Local Government Area, citing the discovery of 28 human skulls and bones on September 26, 2026.

The organisation linked the discovery to longstanding allegations of abductions in the area, although the report did not provide forensic findings establishing the identities of the remains.

Congo DRC records 2,000 deaths, report says

Beyond Nigeria, Intersociety estimated that the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded at least 2,000 Christian deaths between January 1 and October 10, 2026.

It attributed many of the reported attacks to the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces and the Islamic State Central African Province.

The organisation cited an attack on Muchacha Gold Mine on March 11, which it said killed 17 Christians, and a June raid in Beni that reportedly claimed more than 20 lives. It also referred to a September 10 fire in the Bukavu region that allegedly killed 27 children associated with Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish, describing the incident as widely suspected to be jihadist-related.

In Mozambique, Intersociety reported killings, abductions and displacement linked to attacks in Cabo Delgado Province, including an alleged September 6 incident and the subsequent burning of a Catholic church in neighbouring Niassa Province.

It also cited attacks in South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Uganda, estimating that the combined Christian death toll in African countries other than Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo reached at least 1,100 during the period.

“The totality of these attacks across Christian populated African countries, other than Nigeria and Congo DRC; has resulted to the combined Christian death toll of no fewer than 1,100 and destruction of hundreds of churches from January 1 to October 10, 2026,” the report stated.

InterSociety explains difference in Nigeria death toll estimates

The organisation acknowledged that its own figures differed from those published by the US-based nonprofit Equipping the Persecuted, which reported 4,216 Christians killed in Nigeria between January 1 and September 8, 2026.

Intersociety said its own records indicated 3,426 deaths for the period between January 1 and October 10, while the other organisation’s higher figure informed its estimate that the Nigerian toll could have reached 4,300.

“It is therefore statistically safe to say that ‘Nigeria recorded between 3,426 and 4,300 Christian deaths from January 1 to first ten days of October 2026’,” the report stated.

Intersociety said the report was backed by a 30-page compilation of data drawn from primary and secondary sources, including media reports, community accounts, research organisations, survivors and eyewitnesses.

The report was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, criminologist and lead researcher; Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, head of the Department of Campaign and Publicity; Obianuju Joy Igboeli, head of the Department of Civil Liberties and Rule of Law; and Samuel Kamanyaoku, head of Field Data Collection.