The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has revealed that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are currently active across different parts of Nigeria.
In its report titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” the commission alleged that these armed groups are a major driver of insecurity and religious freedom violations in several regions of the country.
Released in May 2026, the report described the groups as among the deadliest non-state actors, responsible for widespread violent attacks across the Middle Belt and parts of southern Nigeria.
USCIRF stated that the militants operate in clusters ranging from 10 to as many as 1,000 fighters, carrying out coordinated attacks that have resulted in thousands of deaths, large-scale displacement, and increased religious tensions.
According to the report, violence attributed to Fulani militants accounted for the highest number of deaths among religious communities in Nigeria over the past year, surpassing casualties linked to other insurgent groups and criminal networks.
The commission added that while many of the attacks were directed at Christian communities, Muslims have also been victims of killings, kidnappings, and raids.
“Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs,” the report stated.
It further noted that although the groups lack a central leadership structure, some factions occasionally collaborate with bandit networks and extremist organisations.
“These actors operate in a variety of contexts and with a multiplicity of likely aims and motivations.
While many Fulani militant groups carry out independent attacks, others periodically coordinate with a range of actors, from bandit gangs seeking financial gain to recognised terrorist organisations with violent ideological interpretations,” the commission added.
