The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has alleged that some personnel within the Nigerian military and police may have been involved in or linked to activities connected with Fulani militias accused of carrying out attacks and kidnappings in parts of Nigeria.
The claims were contained in a May 2026 report titled “Non-state Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants.” The report examined patterns of violence attributed to armed groups operating in different regions of the country.
According to USCIRF, certain security officials were allegedly connected to incidents involving abductions and violent attacks targeting religious communities, particularly in northern and central Nigeria. The commission suggested that in some kidnapping cases, the outcomes of victims remained uncertain due to the sensitive nature of ransom negotiations and possible collaboration between criminals and some security actors.
It stated: “The fates of all these kidnapping victims, like so many others, remain unknown to the public due to the sensitivity of ransom negotiations and, in some cases, possible collusion between perpetrators and some officials from the police and/or army.”
The report further noted that conflicting media narratives and alleged government restrictions on information have made it difficult to clearly determine the identities and motivations of armed groups operating across affected areas.
USCIRF also highlighted differing perspectives on the causes of the violence linked to Fulani militias. While some analysts attribute the attacks to economic hardship, land pressure, and environmental stress, others argue that the violence has taken on a religious dimension, often targeting non-Muslim communities, including Christians.
It added that “multiple and overlapping factors, including religion in many cases, likely spur Fulani militants to attack communities or individuals.”
The commission urged the US Congress to ensure that individuals lobbying on behalf of governments sanctioned over religious freedom violations are restricted from receiving financial compensation.
In a related development, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that former President Donald Trump had directed the Pentagon to prioritise the protection of Christians in Nigeria allegedly targeted by ISIS-linked groups. He also claimed that this directive had contributed to the killing of a senior ISIS commander operating in the region.