US Report Claims 30,000 Fulani Militants Are Fueling Insecurity in Nigeria

US Report Claims 30,000 Fulani Militants Fuel Nigeria’s Insecurity

USCIRF report highlights armed groups, mass killings, displacement, and worsening security situation across Nigeria

A new report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has estimated that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria, allegedly contributing significantly to ongoing insecurity in several regions of the country.

The report, released in May 2026, said the armed groups operate in units ranging from small cells to larger formations of up to 1,000 members, with activities reportedly concentrated in parts of the Middle Belt and southern Nigeria.

Report links armed groups to violence and displacement
According to the USCIRF document titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” attacks attributed to armed actors have intensified insecurity, leading to deaths, displacement, and rising tensions among communities.

The report stated that violence attributed to these groups has resulted in significant casualties across religious communities, with both Christian and Muslim populations affected in various incidents.
It further claimed that rural communities have frequently been targeted in nighttime attacks involving firearms and bladed weapons, forcing residents to flee their homes.

Mass displacement and repeated attacks
The commission estimated that insecurity linked to armed violence has displaced more than one million people in parts of central Nigeria, with many now living in overcrowded and under-resourced camps.

It also documented several violent incidents in 2025 and 2026, including mass killings and attacks on religious gatherings in states such as Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger.

The report noted that some attacks occurred during religious holidays, further increasing their psychological and social impact on affected communities.

Security response and government actions
USCIRF criticized the response of authorities, stating that security interventions were often slow and insufficient in preventing or stopping attacks in affected areas.

The report also referenced ongoing government and regional efforts to reduce farmer-herder conflicts, including initiatives aimed at improving grazing and land-use arrangements.

It further noted that the Nigerian government had in late 2025 designated violent armed groups, including those described in the report, as terrorist organizations.
The report highlighted differing views on the root causes of insecurity, noting that some analysts attribute the violence to economic and environmental pressures, while others point to deeper religious and social tensions.

USCIRF concluded that the situation is shaped by multiple overlapping factors and warned that insecurity could persist without stronger structural reforms and improved security responses.

About the Author

Adesokan Oluwasegun is a journalist and blogger with four years of experience, specializing in politics, business and economy, metro reporting and editorial writing that provides analysis and opinion on key issues .