The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, popularly known as Intersociety, has released a staggering update on the state of security in Nigeria. According to the group, terrorists operating across the country have killed or abducted a total of 1,402 Christians in just the first 96 days of 2026. This period spans from New Year’s Day to Easter Monday, April 6, 2026.
The report highlights a sharp escalation in what the group describes as a “Nigerian Christian Genocide.” The Chairman of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi, stated that 450 individuals were killed during this timeframe, while approximately 600 others were abducted. He further alleged that state actor involvement in these crises has deepened, with security agencies failing to provide adequate protection for vulnerable communities.
Escalation of violence during the 2026 Holy Week
The data provided by Intersociety suggests that the Easter period was particularly bloody for Christian communities in the North and Middle-Belt regions. The group recorded 102 deaths during the Holy Week alone, which ran from March 28 to April 4. On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, at least 34 Christians were reportedly hacked to death, with Benue State accounting for 17 deaths and Kaduna State recording 15.
Umeagbalasi also detailed a horrific roadside bombing by Boko Haram along the Pulka-Ngoshe Road in Southern Borno on March 28, which claimed 13 lives. Two days later, another 21 Christians were killed in the Kautikari community of Chibok. These attacks coincide with reports from United States Congressman Riley Moore, who estimated that the death toll in the Plateau State attacks near Jos reached 53 during the same period.
Allegations of government cover-ups and lobbying
A significant portion of the Intersociety statement accused the Federal Government of Nigeria of attempting to rewrite the narrative of the killings. Umeagbalasi alleged that since October 2025, the government has spent tens of millions of dollars on international lobbying and “globetrotting” to deny the existence of a religious genocide.
He argued that the government is falsely labeling the violence as “farmers-herders’ clashes” caused by climate change to downplay the targeted nature of the attacks. The group maintains that despite these efforts to suppress the truth, the reality on the ground—manifested in the destruction of churches and the displacement of thousands—tells a different story.
Captivity and the “dark figures” of abduction
Intersociety raised an alarm regarding the fate of those taken into captivity, estimating that roughly 10% of all abducted Christians do not return alive. This equates to 180 deaths stemming from the 1,800 Christians abducted since January 2026. These “captivity deaths” are attributed to:
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Physical torture and gunshot wounds
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Starvation and lack of medical treatment
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Machete cuts and inhuman degrading treatments
The group emphasized that these figures were not included in their previous update on March 19, showing a rapid deterioration in the safety of captives held by various jihadist groups.
The struggle of IDPs and Christian charities
Amidst the carnage, the report shed light on the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the organizations helping them. Intersociety recently interacted with Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, the founder of the Home for the Needy Foundation near Benin, Edo State. The center currently houses 4,513 IDPs who fled persecution in states such as Borno, Zamfara, Southern Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue.
Umeagbalasi commended the foundation for its success stories in restoring hope to abandoned and traumatized survivors. However, he also accused the Nigerian government of harassing the center and its leaders using security and intelligence establishments. He described these actions as persecution against a Christian charity for simply providing a haven for those escaping the ongoing violence in the North.
