In a detailed rebuttal made available to SaharaReporters, the civil society organisation said the New York Times report falsely attributed statements to its Executive Director, criminologist Emeka Umeagbalasi, and distorted the substance of a marathon interview held on December 16, 2025, at its facilities in Anambra State.
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has rejected a New York Times report published on January 18, 2026, describing it as a “perfidy of lies” and a gross misrepresentation of an interview conducted with its leadership in December 2025.
In a detailed rebuttal made available to SaharaReporters, the civil society organisation said the New York Times report falsely attributed statements to its Executive Director, criminologist Emeka Umeagbalasi, and distorted the substance of a marathon interview held on December 16, 2025, at its facilities in Anambra State.
According to Intersociety, the interview was conducted by Ruth Maclean, the West African Bureau Chief of the New York Times, who visited alongside a female photographer from Kwara State and ThisDay Newspaper correspondent Dave Eleke. The organisation said the visit was approved by its Board and privately hosted by Umeagbalasi due to the off-office pre-Christmas period.
Intersociety stated that the interview lasted over three hours, followed by an additional hour of photography at a market, and that none of the controversial claims published by the New York Times formed part of the discussions.
Objection to Linkage With US Airstrikes
One of the organisation’s strongest objections was the New York Times’ decision to frame the interview in connection with United States airstrikes in Sokoto State that occurred on December 25, 2025, nine days after the interview.
Intersociety described the linkage as “mischievous and dangerous,” noting that the Nigerian government and its security agencies publicly claimed joint responsibility for the airstrikes with the US government.
The group said it was placing the New York Times and its West African Bureau Chief on notice, warning that it would hold them vicariously liable should any harm come to its leadership, family members, or offices in Onitsha, Enugu and Aguata.
Dispute Over Data Integrity Claims
Intersociety rejected claims in the New York Times report that its Board Chair admitted to rarely verifying data. The organisation said Umeagabalasi clearly explained its data-gathering methodology during the interview, noting that it relies on both primary data collected by field researchers and secondary data sourced from credible third-party organisations.
The group further denied assertions that its reports rely mainly on secondary sources such as media reports, Christian interest groups, or Google searches. It said its field researchers have been deployed across several regions of Nigeria over the years, including Southern Kaduna, Taraba, the South-East, the South-South, Eha-Amufu and Ezeagu communities in Enugu State.
According to Intersociety, its work is conducted by expert volunteers and field research assistants who operate without financial inducement, stressing that it is a human rights monitoring organisation rather than a media outlet.
Rejection of Personal and Ethnic Allegations
The organisation also dismissed as false a claim that Umeagbalasi compared himself to CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour. It said he merely encouraged Maclean to emulate Amanpour’s global journalistic integrity and professionalism.
Intersociety further denied allegations attributed to it that described Fulani people as “animals” or suggested their confinement to a single state. It clarified that it opposed nationwide Fulani pastoral settlements and instead suggested that if the policy were genuinely economic and not ideological, Niger State, Nigeria’s largest and agriculturally fertile state, could be developed into a modern cattle and dairy hub.
Disagreement Over Victim Identity and Statistics
Intersociety challenged the New York Times’ claim that “many Boko Haram victims are Muslims,” arguing that available statistics from 2009 to 2017 show Christians as the majority of victims, including thousands of Igbo Christians living in northern Nigeria.
On the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, Intersociety said it never claimed that “many” of the abducted girls were Christians, but expressed suspicion that some Christian students may have been involved, given that the school was a government institution in an indigenous Christian-populated area. It referenced UK Parliament religious freedom proceedings of June 5, 2025, which documented jihadist attacks in the area.
Clarification of Church Attack Figure
The organisation also disputed the New York Times’ characterization of its figures on church attacks, stating that it reported exactly 19,100 churches attacked, burned or destroyed since 2009, not “close to 20,000” as reported. It added that Nigeria was estimated to have about 100,000 churches as of 2021.
Defence of Research Work
Intersociety maintained that its reports on killings in Nigeria are consistent with international best practices under United Nations and African Union frameworks. It stressed that its findings are unrelated to US politics, partisan divisions, or personalities such as former US President Donald Trump.
The organisation reaffirmed that religious freedom remains a universal right, benefiting both Christians and Muslims, and reiterated its estimate that since 2009, approximately 125,000 Christians and 60,000 Muslims have been killed outside the protection of religious freedom in Nigeria.
Intersociety acknowledged that researchers, journalists and members of the public are free to agree or disagree with its findings, noting that informed criticism is essential to meaningful research and advocacy.
The rebuttal was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi; Barr. Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, Head of Campaign and Publicity; Barr. Obiajunu Joy Igboeli, Head of the Civil Liberties and Rule of Law Program; and Barr. Samuel Kamanyaoku, Head of Field Data Collection and Documentation.