“The African Union strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against the civilian population, especially women and children, as grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security, and stability,” the organisation, which comprises 55 member states of the continent, declared on February 22, 2026. The statement refers to the recent series of predominantly Islamist-motivated violence, particularly by groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militant Islamists. In addition to the jihadist groups, criminal opportunists have also claimed responsibility for numerous kidnappings.

The previous week saw several more deadly attacks: On February 18, 33 people were murdered in an attack in the Arewa district of Kebbi State, and just one day later, 38 more victims were killed in a massacre in the Anka district of Zamfara State. An unknown number of residents were abducted by the attackers at the time of publication.

What has become clearly evident in Nigeria since the beginning of the year is a systematic collapse of national security, spreading from the north. In November 2025 alone, at least 400 people were abducted in four states in north-central Nigeria, including schoolchildren in Niger State. On January 18, 2026, mass abductions occurred in the village of Kurmin Wali in Kaduna State: 177 worshippers were abducted from two churches; 91 of them escaped, and the rest were released in early February.

However, for more than 160 people from two villages in the Kaiama district (Kwara State), all help came too late on February 3: Jihadists perpetrated the largest massacre of the year so far in revenge because the population, predominantly Muslim, refused to submit to the group’s rigid interpretation of Islam. The pressure on non-Muslims increases enormously after such attacks, including on the Christian population, which makes up around 40 percent of the population.

These mass attacks, murders, and kidnappings tear families apart; many people are plunged into poverty. Large areas of the countryside are being abandoned because residents no longer feel safe. The perpetrators seem unstoppable. Meanwhile, there is military cooperation with the USA: Since mid-February, about 100 US soldiers have been training Nigerian armed forces, following the US Air Force’s raids against camps of Islamist terrorist cells at Christmas.

The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) regularly receives updates on the situation in Nigeria from its board member, Professor Obiora Ike. The priest founded the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP) in the southern Nigerian diocese of Enugu, an important resource for many internally displaced persons, including survivors of severe political violence and relatives of victims, particularly those of the numerous kidnappings.

Michaela Koller