The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has estimated that at least 7,500 Christians were killed across Africa between January 1 and October 10, 2026, with Nigeria accounting for between 3,426 and 4,300 deaths.
The organisation also estimated that 3,395 Christians were abducted in Nigeria and more than 1,000 churches were attacked, destroyed or burnt across the continent during the period, reports News Express.
In a report dated October 13, 2026, and released in Enugu, Intersociety attributed the reported killings largely to jihadist groups and accused Nigerian security agencies of shielding suspected perpetrators and covering up attacks on Christian communities.
The organisation said its findings were based on a 30-page compilation of information obtained from media reports, affected communities, research organisations, survivors and eyewitnesses.
“From our monitored statistics, no fewer than 7,500 Christians have been killed since January 2026 or in the past nine months and ten days (January-October 10, 2026) by Islamic Jihadists mainly linked to Islamic State Jihadists and independent local Islamic Jihadists; out of which, Nigeria accounted for at least 65% or ‘4,300’,” it stated.
According to the report, Nigeria also accounted for approximately 42 per cent of the estimated 1,000 churches attacked, destroyed or burnt across Africa during the period under review.
The figures are estimates released by Intersociety and have not been independently verified in the report.
343 Christians killed in Nigeria in 40 days — report
Intersociety said its monitoring of incidents in Nigeria between September 1 and October 10 recorded at least 343 Christian deaths and 202 abductions.
It also reported that 10 churches were destroyed, eight pastors were abducted and two others killed during the 40-day period.
“Relatedly, according to InterSociety latest statistics, ‘in 40 days of Sept 1 to Oct 10, 2026, our tracked and collected data showed that no fewer than 343 Christian deaths were recorded including 130 in Plateau and 64 in Adamawa States-during which 202 others were abducted, ten churches destroyed, eight pastors abducted and two killed,” the report stated.
The organisation further alleged that 150 Christian schoolchildren had remained in Boko Haram captivity for 150 days since May 2026.
It also claimed that members of the Lakurawa group had threatened indigenous Christian communities in Kebbi State, allegedly demanding that they pay an Islamic tax, convert to Islam or face death.
Security agencies accused of covering up attacks
The organisation accused Nigerian security agencies of responding inadequately or impartially to attacks against Christian communities.
It alleged that some security personnel had blamed victims instead of suspected attackers, shielded perpetrators and misrepresented incidents.
“It was also observed that partisanship and cover-ups of the Nigerian Security Forces in handling the attacks against Christians especially those masterminded by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Jihadist Fulani Bandits have risen to an apogee and intensity,” it stated.
The organisation added that alleged compromises by security personnel included shifting blame to victims, pursuing affected communities instead of attackers and protecting suspected perpetrators.
The allegations were contained in the organisation’s report. The document, as presented, did not include responses from the security agencies accused of complicity.
Plateau, Adamawa among worst-hit states
Plateau and Adamawa states featured prominently in Intersociety’s account of attacks recorded between September 1 and October 10.
The organisation estimated that at least 130 Christians were killed in Plateau State during the period and alleged that some victims were beheaded.
In Adamawa, it reported attacks on more than 12 Christian communities in Gombi and Hong local government areas between September 7 and October 8.
“In Adamawa State where Boko Haram launched series of coordinated attacks against more than twelve Christian communities in Gombi and Hong Local Government Areas particularly between Sept 7 and Oct 8; killing no fewer than 40 Christians and abducting 50 others including several tertiary and secondary school students-with at least three churches destroyed,” the report stated.
Intersociety also cited alleged killings, kidnappings, church attacks and abductions in Benue, Bauchi, Kaduna, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, Sokoto, Imo and Abia states.
In Southern Kaduna, the organisation claimed that at least 50 Christians were abducted and 20 killed during the 40-day period, particularly in Chikun and Kachia local government areas.
It further alleged that about 800 Christians abducted in 2024 and 2025 remained in captivity in forests around Rijana.
In Abia State, the report raised concerns over alleged kidnapping camps in Umunneochi Local Government Area, citing the discovery of 28 human skulls and bones on September 26, 2026.
However, the report did not provide forensic findings establishing the identities of the remains or conclusively linking them to specific abduction cases.
DR Congo records 2,000 Christian deaths, says group
Outside Nigeria, Intersociety estimated that at least 2,000 Christians were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo between January 1 and October 10, 2026.
It attributed many of the reported attacks to the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces and the Islamic State Central African Province.
The report cited an attack on Muchacha Gold Mine on March 11, which it said killed 17 Christians, and a June raid in Beni that reportedly claimed more than 20 lives.
It also referred to a fire in the Bukavu region on September 10 that allegedly killed 27 children associated with Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish. The organisation described the incident as widely suspected to be jihadist-related.
In Mozambique, the group reported killings, abductions and displacement linked to attacks in Cabo Delgado Province. It also cited an alleged September 6 incident and the subsequent burning of a Catholic church in neighbouring Niassa Province.
Other countries mentioned in the report included South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Uganda.
Intersociety estimated that these countries collectively recorded at least 1,100 Christian deaths between January 1 and October 10, excluding Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The totality of these attacks across Christian populated African countries, other than Nigeria and Congo DRC; has resulted to the combined Christian death toll of no fewer than 1,100 and destruction of hundreds of churches from January 1 to October 10, 2026,” it stated.
InterSociety explains conflicting death toll figures
The organisation acknowledged discrepancies between its estimates and figures published by Equipping the Persecuted, a United States-based nonprofit organisation.
According to Intersociety, Equipping the Persecuted reported that 4,216 Christians were killed in Nigeria between January 1 and September 8, 2026.
Intersociety said its own records showed 3,426 deaths between January 1 and October 10, but it used the higher figure reported by the other organisation to establish an estimated upper range of 4,300 deaths.
“It is therefore statistically safe to say that ‘Nigeria recorded between 3,426 and 4,300 Christian deaths from January 1 to first ten days of October 2026’,” the report stated.
The organisation said its findings were supported by a 30-page compilation drawing on primary and secondary sources, including media reports, community accounts, research bodies, survivors and eyewitnesses.
The report was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, criminologist and lead researcher; Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, head of the Department of Campaign and Publicity; Obianuju Joy Igboeli, head of the Department of Civil Liberties and Rule of Law; and Samuel Kamanyaoku, head of Field Data Collection.
