The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, widely known as Intersociety, has alleged that no fewer than 1,402 Christians were either killed or abducted across Nigeria between January 1 and April 6, 2026. According to the group, the period under review, which spans 96 days from New Year’s Day to Easter Monday, reflects a deeply troubling escalation of insecurity and targeted violence in several parts of the country.
In a statement issued by its chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, the organisation claimed that 450 Christians were killed and 600 abducted within the period, while many others remain unaccounted for. It further argued that the figures point to what it described as a worsening pattern of attacks on Christian communities, particularly in areas already affected by insurgency, banditry, and communal violence.
The group also accused the Nigerian government of downplaying the scale and nature of the violence by framing many of the attacks as farmer-herder clashes or broader security disturbances. According to Intersociety, such narratives fail to capture the religious and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis, especially in communities repeatedly hit by armed groups.
Citing attacks in states such as Benue State, Kaduna State, Borno State, and Plateau State, the organisation said the Easter period alone witnessed several deadly incidents, including killings, bombings, and abductions. It also raised concern over the conditions faced by displaced persons, many of whom have fled their homes and now live in shelters under difficult circumstances.
While the claims are serious and likely to generate further public debate, they also underscore the urgent need for transparent investigations, stronger protection for vulnerable communities, and a more coordinated national response to insecurity. For many affected families, beyond the numbers are lives permanently altered by fear, grief, and uncertainty.