Christian Advocacy Group Reports Thousands of Christians Killed or Abducted in Nigeria

A Nigerian civil-liberties organization has reported a large number of deaths and abductions among Christians during the first eight months of 2026.

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, known as Intersociety, claimed that 3,083 Christians were killed and 3,193 abducted between January and August 2026.

The organization also claimed that approximately 400 churches were attacked and that 25 priests and pastors were killed or abducted during the same period.

According to the organization's September 8 statement, July and August alone accounted for hundreds of reported deaths and abductions.

However, these figures should be presented on a website as Intersociety's estimates, rather than as independently established casualty totals. The organization says it compiled its information from residents, survivors and eyewitnesses.

Nigeria's violence is also complex. Attacks involve different armed groups, including jihadist organizations, criminal gangs and armed groups involved in longstanding farmer-herder conflicts. Christians have been among those affected, particularly in parts of the Middle Belt.

Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List separately identifies Nigeria as one of the countries where Christians experience extremely high levels of persecution and reports 3,490 Christians killed during its 2026 reporting period