US Commission Accuses Nigeria Of Tolerating Religious Violence, Failure To Prosecute Killers

THE United States (US) Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has accused Nigeria’s federal and state governments of tolerating religious violence and failing to adequately investigate or prosecute those responsible for attacks across the country.
USCIRF, in its 2026 yearly report, said religious freedom conditions in Nigeria “remained abysmal” throughout last year, as authorities continued to tolerate, inadequately respond to or fail to pursue justice for religiously motivated violence committed by non-state actors.
Thecommision lamented that armed groups were still targeting communities while attempting to impose “a singular interpretation of Islam” on people, regardless of their own beliefs, identifying groups, including Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), also known as Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Islamic State-Sahel Province (ISSP) as key perpetrators.
USCIRF cited several incidents during the year, including the burning of a church auditorium in January, in which “several people” were killed; alleged killings by a JAS splinter faction in Kwara State in April; killing of 15 Muslims in Sokoto by Lakurawa insurgents in July; and an attack in Borno in September, in which JAS/Boko Haram reportedly killed over 60 Muslims, as well as Boko Haram’s capture of Kirawa in October, which forced about 5,000 residents to flee into neighbouring Cameroun.
It also alleged that violence involving Fulani militants, whom it said “manipulated Islam to justify their use of violence,” continued across the Middle Belt and “especially impacted Christians,” citing a June attack in Yelwata, where “around 200 displaced persons” were killed at a Catholic mission, and noted public anger, including protests accusing the government of failing to protect victims.
The US-based group recalled the killing of Rev. Yahaya Kambasaya, abduction of 20 Christians in Kaduna in October and another attack the following month, in which 38 worshippers were abducted, two killed and a pastor kidnapped.
It said over 300 people, mostly schoolchildren, were abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State, with parents criticising authorities for closing schools instead of securing them.
The report described kidnappings as part of a long-running crisis that has affected Nigeria since 2009, alleging that kidnappers have seized thousands of children for ransom or sexual slavery, specifically mentioning Leah Sharibu, who “has been in captivity since 2018.”
USCIRF also documented attacks on Muslim communities, including the abduction of over 100 people from a mosque in Zamfara and the killing of 13 worshippers in Katsina.
It criticised Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, saying the federal government continues to enforce provisions that allow up to two years’ imprisonment for perceived religious insults, while some states apply stricter versions, leading to prosecution and imprisonment of individuals from different faiths and belief systems.
The group said at least four person remained in custody on blasphemy charges at the end of the year, including Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, Isma’ila Sani Isah, Sheikh Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara and Abdulazeez Inyass.
The report also noted that school closures during Ramadan in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Bauchi states affected Christian institutions, and that Catholic Bishop, Wilfred Anagbe, received anonymous threats after testifying before a US congressional subcommittee on violence against Christians.
In a related development, the commission’s earlier May 2026 mini report said militant violence in the Middle Belt has displaced at least 1.3 million people, forcing them into overcrowded and unsafe camps.
It attributed the violence to Fulani militants and other armed actors, alleging that attacks were used to instill fear and seize control of land, alleging that militants carried out sexual violence and abductions for ransom, with some hostages reportedly held in remote areas, such as Rijana Forest in Kaduna State, and subjected to prolonged abuse, causing lasting trauma.