US Report: 30,000 Fulani Militants Driving Nigeria's Insecurity

US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reports 30,000 armed Fulani militants currently operating across Nigeria, describing them as among the deadliest non-state actors responsible for worsening insecurity nationwide. The May 2026 report states these militant groups operate in clusters of 10-1,000 fighters, carrying out coordinated assaults that have led to thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and heightened religious tensions across the Middle Belt and Southern regions.

According to the Commission, attacks linked to Fulani militants accounted for the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the past year, surpassing casualties from insurgent groups and criminal gangs. While many attacks targeted Christian communities, Muslim communities also suffered killings, kidnappings, and raids.

The report notes these militant groups lack a central leadership structure, though some factions collaborate with bandit networks and extremist organizations with diverse motivations—from financial enrichment to violent religious interpretations. The USCIRF document warns this fragmented but lethal network represents one of Nigeria's most complex security challenges.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/05/27/30000-armed-fulani-militants-driving-nigerias-insecurity-us-govt/