Conflict Incident Monthly Tracker : February -M a rch 2 0 18

B a ck gro und reportedly killed by members of the Ogba/ Protest: In February, there was a protest at Egbema/Ondoni (ONELGA) Security Planning the reception center of the This monthly tracker is designed to update Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in International Airport by a group of Nigerians Peace Agents on patterns and trends in West LGA. In February, the police reportedly who have just been evacuated from Libya by conflict risk and violence, as identified by the arrested members of a gang of kidnappers the Nigerian government. The returnees Integrated Peace and Development Unit that recently abducted the Chief Executive protested over poor welfare at the center (IPDU) early warning system, and to seek Officer (CEO) of a company in the state. The where they are camped, and delay by their feedback and input for response to mitigate suspects included the son of a police officer various state government to evacuate them. areas of conflict. and the driver of the abducted CEO. Others: In December, a man and a girl were Patterns and Trends Criminality during the period involved reportedly killed by a fire caused by an D ec 2 01 7 -Fe b 20 1 8 violence affecting women and girls (VAWG). explosion in Port Harcourt. The explosion For example, in January, a 19-year old girl occurred while the victims were filling their According to Peace Map data (see Figure 1), was reportedly killed and her body dumped stove with adulterated kerosene. In a there was a decrease in violent fatalities in in a septic tank in Port Harcourt. separate incident, a 6-year old boy was killed Rivers state in February 2018. Incidents Militancy/Cult Violence: In January, seven in an inferno in Port Harcourt. The boy died reported during this period included people were reported killed during a gun while his mother was asleep. In January, a communal tensions, gang/cult violence, battle between members of two rival cult day-old baby that was reportedly dumped in militancy, and other criminal activities. groups in LGA. a refuse bin in front of a church by the Violent Criminality: In December, four mother was found dead in Port Harcourt. In gunmen who were disguised as operatives of Communal Tensions: In January, four persons were killed during a clash between February, an aircraft belonging to a local the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Gwara and Gwure communities in Khana airline reportedly skidded off the runway were reportedly killed by operatives of the LGA. The clash reportedly resulted from a while landing at the Port Harcourt Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) misunderstanding over a young girl Gwara International Airport. The incident is in /Akpor LGA. Separately, soldiers believed to have been caused by strong wind reportedly killed three robbers who that was allegedly abducted and raped by and storm as a result of heavy rainfall. attempted to steal army uniforms from a some Gwure youths. military base in Emuhua LGA. In Port Harcourt, two policemen were reportedly Figure 1: Incidents and Fatalities, Rivers State killed by hoodlums, while they were patrolling the area. Also, in Port Harcourt, a 60Sep-17 7 11 policeman was reportedly killed by gunmen. Oct-17 6 25 50 A vigilante was also shot during the incident. Nov-17 5 38

40 In January, gunmen reportedly attacked a Dec-17 6 14 community and killed 22 residents who were 30 Jan-18 10 49 returning from a cross-over night church Feb-18 2 4 service in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. The 20 attack was believed to be targeted at 10 members of community vigilante group who destroyed a house belonging to the mother 0 of a prominent criminal in the area. Nov-17 Dec-17 Jan-18 Feb-18 Separately, the police reportedly raided a Incidents Fatalities hotel used by robbers as a hideout, and killed four suspects in LGA. In Reported incidents and fatalities from November 2017– February 2018 in Rivers State. another incident, four hoodlums were Sources: ACLED and Watch formatted on the P4P Peace Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org. MONTHLY CONFLICT TRACKER: RIVERS STATE, FEBRUARY — MARCH 2018 Recent Incidents or Figure 2: Conflict Fatalities by LGA Figure 3: Conflict Fatalities by LGA Issues, March 2018 (December 2017 - February 2018) Incidents during the month mainly related to February20 (NovemberOgba/Egbema/Ndoni Port2017-January harcourtAndoni 2018) 40 communal tensions and protests. Violent Criminality29 3 7 Obio/AkporOgba/Egbema/NdoniKhana Port Harcourt 15 Communal Tensions: There was a peaceful Militancy 25 30 Oct-17 16 0 0 0 protest by residents of about six Gang/Cult10 Violence 8 Nov-17 0 35 3 0 communities over the destruction of the 20 5 land and poor amenities in their Communal/Ethnic Violence 7 Dec-17 5 0 0 6 communities in Tai LGA. The protesters Other Fatalities0 10 10 Jan-18 0 19 4 4 marched to the Rivers State Government House, calling on the Federal government to March (DecemberOgba/Egbema/Ndoni 2017-FebruaryPort HarcourtAndoni 2018) Emohua 0 Ogba/Egbema/NdoniKhana Port HarcourtObio/Akpor Nov-17 Dec-17 Jan-18 Feb-18 rebuild their land that was destroyed over 24 Violent Criminality19 4 7 Nov-17 35 3 0 0 years ago. Gang/Cult Violence 8 Dec-17Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni0 0 Khana 6 5 Protests: Youths protested against a noodle Communal/Ethnic Violence Jan-18Port Harcourt19 4 Obio/Akpor4 0 manufacturing company over issues relating OtherOther Fatalities Fatalities 10Communal/Ethnic Violence Feb-18Emohua 0 0 Andoni 1 0 to employment in Choba community, Obio/ Oyigbo Akpor LGA. The protesting youths accused Gang/Cult Violence Violent Criminality Ikwerre the company of casualization of workers, and threatened to shut down a factoring Reported incidents by Local Government Area (LGA) in Rivers State this quarter shows that Ogba/Egbema/ belonging to the company in the area. Ndoni, followed by Port Harcourt had the highest number of reported fatalities. Source (Figure 2): ACLED and Nigeria Watch data formatted for the P4P Peace Map. Source (Figure 3): Nigeria Watch data formatted for the P4P Peace Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org Pr o gno s is Figure 4: Heat Map of Incidents and Peace Agents in Rivers State Reported incidents in the state during the period related mainly to criminality, cult violence, militancy, communal tensions, and protests. Peace Agents should monitor the situation closely and respond appropriately.

Questions for Peace A ge nt s

1. Is anything missing from the tracker in terms of hotspots, trends, or incidents?

2. Which conflict issues are a priority for you (as P4P Chapter, Prevent Committee, or other stakeholder)? Heat Map shows concentration of incidents reported from December 2017–February 2018 in Rivers; with

green stars representing the registered Peace Agents. Source: All data sources formatted for the P4P Peace 3. What are some likely trigger events in Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org the next 6 months that could escalate this conflict? Report Incidents: IPDU Early Warning System 4. Who are the key stakeholders that Please report any verified incident of conflict to the IPDU SMS early warning system: have influence on the conflict? Text: 080 9936 2222 Incident Details: Kindly include the State, LGA, Town, Date, and Brief Incident Description 5. What will you do to help mitigate the conflict in the short, medium, and long Contact Us Inquiries: Afeno Super Odomovo, IPDU Research Coordinator term? Telephone: 08172401595 Email: [email protected]

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