A new report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) says 79,323 people were killed in terrorism-related violence across Nigeria between 2020 and 2025, while 34,773 civilians were abducted during the same period.
The six-year study, titled “Four Times Boko Haram? How the World Misreads Nigeria’s Violence,” said more than 42,000 of those killed were civilians, with the violence averaging seven attacks and 36 deaths daily.
According to the report, armed groups identified as Fulani terror groups were responsible for 44 per cent of civilian killings, compared to 12 per cent attributed to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) combined.
ORFA, however, stressed that it distinguished between armed Fulani groups and the wider Fulani population, noting that the vast majority of Fulani people were not involved in violence.
The report also found that 43 per cent of civilian abductions were linked to armed Fulani groups, while 49 per cent were carried out by unidentified armed groups.
It further claimed that 28,551 Christians and 13,224 Muslims were killed during the period, alleging that Christian hostages often faced higher ransom demands, longer captivity and a greater risk of execution than Muslim captives.
ORFA said its findings were based on data gathered from multiple sources, including field research, local partners, academic projects, media reports and verified social media records, urging greater attention to evolving patterns of violence across Nigeria.
