Nigeria violence: 79,323 killed, 34,773 abducted in six years, report finds

A six-year investigation by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) has revealed a grim toll of violence in Nigeria, reporting 79,323 deaths and 34,773 abductions between 2020 and 2025. The findings, unveiled in a report titled “Four Times Boko Haram? How the World Misreads Nigeria’s Violence,” challenge prevailing assumptions about the drivers of insecurity in the country.

The report, announced by ORFA Senior Research Analyst Frans Vierhout, indicates an average of seven attacks and 36 deaths per day. Of the total deaths, 42,033 were civilians and 37,290 involved security personnel and armed groups. Researchers meticulously analyzed attack patterns, targets, operational locations, and seasonal trends, finding that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) accounted for only 12% of recorded civilian deaths.

In contrast, ORFA attributed 44% of civilian killings to armed groups they classified as “Fulani Terror Groups,” amounting to 18,577 deaths. The organization stressed it distinguishes these groups from the broader Fulani ethnic population, noting the vast majority of Fulani people are not involved in violence. The report also highlighted a religious dimension, stating 28,551 Christians and 13,224 Muslims were killed, with Christians experiencing a higher death rate relative to their population distribution. Christian abductions numbered 15,932.

Vierhout emphasized the data's significance, stating, “The evidence points strongly in one direction.” ORFA argues that international focus has been disproportionately on Boko Haram, overlooking other organized violence. The report also documented 34,773 civilian kidnappings, with “Fulani Terror Groups” and “Unidentified Terror Groups” responsible for 43% and 49% respectively. A related publication by Senior Research Analyst Steven Kefas, “Captivity by Creed: The Religious Sorting System Nobody Talks About,” cites survivor testimonies alleging differential treatment of Christian and Muslim captives.

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The data makes this difficult to ignore. We examined how killings occur, who is targeted, where attacks take place and seasonal fluctuations. The evidence points strongly in one direction.