USCIRF 2026 Report: Fear, Kidnappings and Killings Now “Daily Reality” Across Nigeria as 53,000 Civilians Killed Since 2009

A damning new assessment by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has warned that Nigeria is increasingly trapped in a cycle of fear, abductions and deadly attacks, with violence now shaping everyday life in many parts of the country. Released as part of its 2026 Annual Report, the Commission described Nigeria as being in a “terrifying crisis,” pointing to years of unchecked insecurity, mass killings and repeated failures by authorities to protect citizens from armed groups, bandits and extremist networks.

According to the report, over 53,000 civilians have been killed since 2009 in violence linked to religious and communal clashes, while millions have been forced to flee their homes. The Commission stated that “rampant insecurity and violence have created a pervasive atmosphere of fear,” especially in regions repeatedly hit by extremist and armed attacks. USCIRF accused Nigerian federal and state authorities of tolerating religious violence and failing to adequately investigate or prosecute perpetrators responsible for attacks across the country. The report said religious freedom conditions in Nigeria “remained abysmal” throughout 2025, alleging that authorities “continued to tolerate, inadequately respond to or investigate, or otherwise fail to pursue justice for religious violence by non-state actors”.

The Commission also accused Nigerian authorities of failing to respond effectively, arguing that “years of inadequate response and pervasive corruption” have worsened the security situation nationwide. The report highlighted continued assaults on schools, places of worship and rural communities, noting that both Christians and Muslims are increasingly caught in what it described as an “existential struggle” in parts of the country. Among the cases referenced was the mass kidnapping of 303 pupils and 12 teachers from a school in Kaduna State, one of the largest school abductions recorded in Nigeria. It also drew attention to the prolonged captivity of Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl abducted by terrorists who has remained in captivity years after reportedly refusing to renounce her faith.

The USCIRF report further raised concerns over rising blasphemy-related violence, where individuals accused of insulting religion have been attacked or killed by mobs. It warned that extremist violence in Nigeria is no longer a domestic issue alone, but a growing threat to stability across West Africa and the Sahel region. The findings come as pressure mounts in the United States Congress to maintain Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern,” with lawmakers also pushing the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which seeks sanctions against individuals linked to religious freedom violations. The report also noted that the U.S. government has introduced visa restrictions targeting individuals involved in such abuses globally.

In its conclusion, the Commission cautioned that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks deeper instability, with civilians left increasingly exposed to killings, displacement and humanitarian crises. USCIRF chair Vicky Hartzler said the people of Nigeria “continue to face religious freedom violations and suffer a deeply tragic and ongoing crisis of violence” at the hands of non-state militants. The Commission stated the Nigerian government has for far too long been negligent in seriously and directly tackling the violence and its complex underlying factors.