The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has raised fresh concerns over insecurity in Nigeria, revealing in a May 2026 report that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across the country.
The report, titled: “Non-state Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants’, described the groups as major drivers of violence, particularly in the Middle-Belt and parts of Southern Nigeria, stating that attacks linked to them caused more deaths in the past year than insurgent groups and criminal gangs.
“Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year, when compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs”, the report stated.
USCIRF said the militants operate in varying clusters and often collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist groups. Their attacks have reportedly displaced at least 1.3 million people, with major incidents recorded in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Niger states.
While many victims were Christians, the Commission noted that Muslims had also suffered killings, kidnappings and attacks.
“These actors operate in a variety of contexts and with a multiplicity of likely aims and motivations. While many Fulani militant groups wage independent attacks, others periodically coordinate with a wide range of other actors, from conventional bandit gangs seeking financial enrichment to recognised terrorist organisations that espouse a violent interpretation of Islam”, the report said.
It added that insecurity remains widespread despite military operations, criticizing security agencies for allegedly responding slowly to attacks.
The report also highlighted ongoing debates over the causes of the violence, citing factors such as religion, economic pressures and competition over land resources.
