A groundbreaking investigation by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law uncovers alarming findings: approximately 950 locations across 770-800 of the 1,940 Igbo communities in Southeast Nigeria face occupation or imminent attack by armed Fulani jihadists and their allies. This signifies that about 40% of the region’s communities are in danger.
The investigation exposes a troubling conspiracy involving five Southeast Christian governors—four Catholics and one Seventh-Day Adventist—whose actions suggest collusion. These governors are accused of facilitating land seizures and secretly issuing Certificates of Occupancy to jihadist benefactors, in what appears to be a political swap deal linked to electoral victories and court rulings favoring Fulani settlements in Igbo land.
Despite the escalating threat, these governors have failed to publicly condemn or act against the jihadist violence. Top Christian church leaders, many of whom rely on government support, also display silence or outright denial, further complicating efforts to address the crisis.
The report highlights systemic biases in Nigeria’s security operations. Since 2015, efforts by security agencies to confront Fulani herdsmen have been marked by neglect, misreporting, or outright denial of the scale of violence. An estimated 20,500-21,000 Southeast residents have been killed or attacked over the past decade, with incidents often attributed to insurgent groups or misclassified terrorists.
The danger is not confined to Southeast Nigeria. The report draws parallels to ongoing violence in Benue, Plateau, and Kaduna, where Fulani herdsmen continue to wreak havoc, including the recent killing of over 50 Christians in Makurdi Diocese within weeks.
The investigation warns of a looming catastrophe if urgent action is not taken to curb these threats and address the conspiracy involving land deals, political collusion, and security failures.
For full details, access the report here: Full Report.
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