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

The report, titled “Four Times Boko Haram? How the World Misreads Nigeria’s Violence,” was released in Jos, Plateau State. It indicates an average of seven attacks and 36 deaths per day, with over 42,000 of the fatalities being innocent civilians.

The investigation challenges the perception that Boko Haram and ISWAP are the primary perpetrators, stating that these groups combined were responsible for 12% of civilian killings. In contrast, militias categorized as 'Fulani Terror Groups' killed 44% of all civilians, which is four times the number attributed to Boko Haram and ISWAP combined. ORFA emphasized the distinction between armed Fulani terror groups and the Fulani people as a whole.

The report also highlighted a religious dimension, noting that 28,551 Christians and 13,224 Muslims were killed, with Christians facing higher rates of abduction, ransoms, and violence. Senior Research Analyst Mr. Frans Vierhout stated that the data points to violence linked to Fulani militias as the dominant force behind Nigeria’s death toll, suggesting that the Western focus on Boko Haram is misleading. The report calls for a broader understanding of the religious dimensions of the violence to find effective solutions.