Unlock Nigeria Overview

UNLocK Report 15 Human Insecurity in Nigeria

October 2011 - April 2012 The Fund for Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that works to prevent violent conflict and promote sustainable security. We promote sustainable security through research, training and education, engagement of civil society, building bridges across diverse sectors, and developing innovative technologies and tools for 55th Anniversary 1957-2012 policy makers. A leader in the conflict assessment and early warning field, the Fund for Peace focuses on the problems of weak and failing states. Our objective is to create practical tools and approaches for conflict mitigation that are useful to decision-makers.

The Fund for Peace Conflict Early Warning and Assessment Produced with the assistance of The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

UNLocK Reports Series Editor Nate Haken

Report Written by Natalie Manning Megan Turner Amelia Whitehead

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www.fundforpeace.org 2 The Fund for Peace UNLocK Nigeria Overview

Introduction & Contents

This report was compiled by Natalie conflict assessment and early warning Summary 4 Manning, Amelia Whitehead, and Megan methodology. The program, Conflict Early Methodology 5 Turner under the supervision of Nate Haken, Warning and Assessment, is made possible Senior Associate at The Fund for Peace. with funding from the National Endowment Analysis by Select Indicators 6 UNLocK partners with local civil society in for Democracy. The statements and views State-by-State Analysis 11 conflict-affected regions for better conflict expressed are solely the responsibility of The Timeline 14 early warning, assessment and prevention by Fund for Peace. Looking Ahead 15 integrating local knowledge into CAST, FFP’s About The Fund for Peace 16

Comparative Periodic Analysis

Percentage of Reports by Indicator

40 March 2011 - September 2011 vs. October 2011 - April 2012

March 2011 - September October 2011 - April 2012 32 Numbers represent a percentage of documents by period.

24 Development Economic Uneven Human Rights and Rule of Law ofLaw Rule and Rights Human Demographic Pressures Demographic State Legitimacy Legitimacy State Human Flight and Brain Brain and Flight Human Factionalized Elites Elites Factionalized Economic Pressures Pressures Economic Group Grievance Grievance Group Security Apparatus Apparatus Security

16 Services Public External Intervention Intervention External Refugees and IDPs IDPs and Refugees

www.fundforpeace.org 3 The Fund for Peace UNLocK Nigeria Summary and Findings

October 2011 - April 2012

As Goodluck Jonathan begins his new from October 2011 to April 2012, with a relating to the Security Apparatus and State term as President of Nigeria, he faces many particular focus on the state and local Legitimacy were less frequently reported in challenges. Even as a fragile peace takes government area levels of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, this period than were reported in the hold in the Niger Delta, gang violence and Delta and Kaduna. previous election and post-election period. criminality continue unabated. In the North, Pressures associated with Public Services and Boko Haram, an Islamist terrorist group, Incidents and issues summarized here Human Rights, however, have been more continues to wreak havoc. Though the include election irregularities surrounding frequently reported in this time period than government has taken some steps towards gubernatorial elections, such as political in the previous, as a percentage of the total strengthening the democratic process, corruption and intimidation, as well as social number of incidents. instances of corruption and vote rigging have and economic pressures relating to land been reported at the state and local levels competition, group grievance and violent This report does not presume to be over the past seven months. The Nigerian crime. These incidents and issues are comprehensive or evenly distributed from government, civil society, and other categorized according to the Conflict one indicator or location to another. Rather, it stakeholders must take steps to address Assessment System Tool (CAST) framework, provides a glimpse into the concerns and these governance and security issues, or risk which allows for a holistic evaluation of the perspectives of a particular network of civil further instability in the future. pressures on society and the state that could society organizations, trained in conflict increase the risk of instability. assessment, most of which are based in the This report compiles the incidents and issues Niger Delta region, Kaduna, and Lagos. documented by civil society representatives As is evident from the comparative periodic in the UNLocK Nigeria early warning network analysis on the previous page, pressures

Findings

This is the fifth summary report for State Legitimacy (34 reports), Public Services The majority of participating organizations UNLocK Nigeria. This report covers incidents (27 reports), Security Apparatus (26 reports), focus on human and civil rights, which logged during a seven month period (October Group Grievance (9 reports), Factionalized influences the types of reports that they 1 2011 – April 1 2012) by participating civil Elites (8 reports), Demographic Pressure (8 contribute. This summary therefore provides society organizations. It is organized by reports), Poverty and Economic Decline (7 a rich description of the political and socio- indicator, with maps showing affected states reports), Human Flight (3 reports) and Uneven economic climate in these areas over the last and local government areas. Economic Development (2 reports). 7 months, as seen by a specific network of civil society organizations focused in the Broken down by indicator and state, there Geographically, the vast majority of reports Niger Delta region. were 101 reports logged during this period. came from the South-South geopolitical zone, Of the 12 CAST indicators (see page 3 for a followed by the South-West and the North- list of the indicators), reports relating to West zones, in order of frequency. Most of Human Rights were the most prevalent (41 the participating organizations are based in reports), followed by those pertaining to the South-South.

www.fundforpeace.org 4 The Fund for Peace UNLocK Nigeria Methodology

About the Program

Between October 2011 and April region so far), and facilitating communication A Focus on Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta 2012, The Fund for Peace and the Institute between members of the network for the and Kaduna States for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law held purposes of data processing and analysis. three UNLocK workshops in Port Harcourt, This information can be used for the crafting This report focuses on the Akwa Ibom, Rivers, which were attended by representatives from of conflict-sensitive approaches to Delta, and Kaduna states between the dozens of local civil society organizations. development, as well as policies for medium- months of October 2011 and April 2012. During these workshops, participants to long-term conflict mitigation initiatives. Reports from Akwa Ibom mostly dealt with reviewed and contextualized CAST (FFP’s election irregularities and the intimidation of conflict assessment framework) to make it Since the UNLocK early warning system was political opposition during the gubernatorial relevant to the local conflict landscape. first established in Nigeria in 2007, over 766 election. Reports from Rivers State related to Members contribute incident reports to the incident reports (categorized by indicator and abductions, police corruption and sexual UNLocK database on an ongoing basis. by state) have been entered into the violence. Reports from Delta State database. The data generated by the pertained mainly to robbery and violent The goals of the project include fostering a participants has been saved on a password- crime. The majority of reports from Kaduna civil society-led conflict early warning and protected website, which is accessible to State related to non-state armed militias. prevention process, documenting events and participants for their own analysis and for the Pages 10-13 provide a breakdown of the incidents, gathering data from across the corroboration of details to ensure accuracy. data from those four states. country (with an emphasis on the Niger Delta

Indicators

The 12 CAST indicators for which data is sought include social, economic, and political/military pressures on the state:

Social Economic Political/Military

Demographic Pressures Uneven Development Legitimacy of the State

Refugees or Displaced Persons Economy Public Services

Group Grievance Human Rights

Human Flight/Brain Drain Security Apparatus

Factionalized Elites

External Intervention

www.fundforpeace.org 5 The Fund for Peace Analysis Select Indicators

Reported Demographic Pressures

Nigeria Nigerian law grants the Governors of • A similar issue is faced by the Omunobo each State significant control over land community in Rivers State, as their land administration, which has contributed has reportedly been compulsorily acquired to several conflicts between local inhabitants by the state for the construction of a and government officials. Incidents have highway linking Port Harcourt to the included cases where the state has claimed international airport nearby. farmland for large-scale development • Illegal logging by state officials in the projects. same region has reportedly threatened

residents’ livelihoods by destroying many • In Rivers State, A report logged in February of the area’s mangrove forests. 2012 highlighted the ongoing conflict between the Ogoni In Khana LGA and the Apart from competition over land, other Rivers State government, which is demographic pressures reported during this attempting to establish a banana Rivers Akwa Ibom period included flooding and environmental plantation run by a Mexican firm, Union De degradation. Iniciativa S.A De C.V.

Reported Group Grievance

Nigeria Nigeria is culturally rich with a diverse employment of non-indigenes over population from many ethnic and natives, disrupting production. religious backgrounds. In a context • Conflict over indigeneity again erupted in where there is competition for resources and the same region when an unknown influence, there has sometimes been tension gunman killed one man and wounded and grievance along group lines. The 1999 7 several others due to a dispute over land. constitution established the Federal Kaduna • Tensions between the Muslim North and Character Commission, an institution 32 the Christian South also increase the risk of regulating the distribution of “indigeneship conflict onset. In January 2012, local certificates”, the possession of which can youths in the Delta State’s Ughelli North determine, among other things, one’s ability LGA committed several crimes directed at to vote and to attend school in the area. Oil Northerners, including cattle rustling and Delta extraction, in conjunction with high assault. A similar incident was reported in Bayelsa unemployment rates, endemic poverty, and Akwa Ibom Rivers during the previous time period. the proliferation of small arms, has

exacerbated the complex social tensions The Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, has around identity and indigeneity, contributing also targeted Christians as part of its to a number of conflicts across the country. bombing campaign, as in April 2012, when a

suicide bomber allegedly affiliated with the • In Akwa Ibom State, local youth led a group attempted to destroy a local church in protest against an oil company’s Kaduna.

www.fundforpeace.org 6 The Fund for Peace Analysis: Select Indicators

Reported Pressures on State Legitimacy

State legitimacy was the second most • In Abia, women protesters were reportedly Nigeria reported indicator for this period. arrested after peacefully demonstrating Election irregularities were reported against the rape of a university student. in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, as were the arrest • In January, the government’s decision to of protestors and police corruption. eliminate federal fuel subsidies resulted in

widespread protests across the country. In 7 Election Irregularities in the Gubernatorial Rivers, demonstrators took to the streets Government Elections : for ten days to protest the removal of the

subsidies. Multiple reports in Akwa Ibom related to bias against female local election candidates. Corruption : Party chiefs and community elders reportedly Abia • There were numerous reports of disqualified candidates based on their Delta Imo corruption, particularly relating to local gender. Other reports alleged intimidation Bayelsa Akwa Ibom against the supporters of female candidates. police forces. In Rivers, police officers Rivers reportedly stopped cars and taxi drivers in

Protests : order to demand bribes. On several occasions, when drivers refused to comply, • In Delta, workers at the Delta State Oil their keys were taken and they were badly Producing Areas Development Commission beaten. Passengers in taxicabs and buses were reportedly unable to enter the whose drivers refused to pay were forced building for two days when demonstrators to disembark. seized control of the premises. The • In Rivers, it was reported that charges demonstrators were reportedly protesting against a man accused of raping a young the alleged misappropriation of federal funding that was intended for the purchase girl were dropped after the alleged perpetrator bribed the police. of wheelchairs and crutches for the disabled.

www.fundforpeace.org 7 The Fund for Peace Analysis: Select Indicators

Reported Human Rights Violations

Nigeria Most reports in this indicator • Several women were reportedly gang pertained to child abuse. Other issues raped by gang members and criminals. In included kidnapping, especially for Rivers, four teenagers were arrested for ransom, and sexual violence. breaking into homes and raping women. A young woman in Rivers State died after a In Bayelsa State, there were several cases 19 • group of men broke into her house and of violent abuse against children, some of sexually assaulted her. which resulted in the child’s death. In one • Kidnapping for ransom was reported in instance, a young girl was taken to a local several states (see Security Apparatus). children’s shelter after she was severely beaten by her father. Numerous reports of Abia rape were also filed, many of which Imo resulted in the victim contracting HIV/ Bayelsa AIDS. Rivers Akwa Ibom

Reported Factionalized Elites

Nigeria All reports of Factionalized Elites police on false charges, and subsequently during this period dealt with shot and killed in prison. A further three intimidation of the political candidates were reportedly suspended opposition during the run-up to the Bayelsa over alleged misconduct one day prior to local elections. the launch of their political campaigns. • Clashes broke out in Bayelsa between two • One candidate was severely wounded and groups supporting opposing candidates. his family killed by cult groups. Another Five people were reportedly killed in the candidate was reportedly arrested by incident.

Bayelsa

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Reported Pressures on Security Apparatus

The presence of Non-State Armed • The leader of a cult gang was reportedly Nigeria Groups undermined security in shot dead by a suspected rival gang in Nigeria during this time period, Delta. It was reported that the man was particularly cult groups and organized crime, shot at close range, in his chest, about five political thugs, and militants. There were also times. The shooters escaped in a vehicle. reports that public security officials • The militant group, Boko Haram, terrorized sometimes abused their power. Below is a Kaduna residents in the North. On Sardwana Road graph showing the trend in UNLocK reports of in Kaduna, members of the group abductions over the last two years. Indeed, attempted to bomb a church by packing abductions are a major problem in the Niger the car they were driving with explosives. Delta. According to police reports, in 2011 The car was turned away by church there were over 350 cases in Delta State Abia security and police officers, but exploded alone. Delta several kilometers down the road, killing Bayelsa 40 people. Rivers Akwa Ibom • In Bayelsa State, cult violence led to a • A bomb blast was also reported in a number of deaths. Cult violence has Kaduna motor park, killing a further 50 reportedly escalated due to the ease with people. Reported Abductions 2010-2011 which cult members, usually students, can • In Akwa Ibom, a kidnapping ring was gather arms. One participant reported that 14 discovered, run by a serving counsellor Crisis in Abia a student used his money for school fees Predominantly 12 Akwa Ibom to purchase arms. Cult violence sometimes from Ibiono. The ring was linked to a number of incidents, including the Predominantly spills over into nearby towns. After a 10 Rivers State shooting battle between two cult groups in kidnapping of another counsellor from the same LGA. After the counsellor was 8 Yenagoa, for instance, violence spread to nearby towns. arrested, members of his gang reportedly 6 killed the police informant. • In Abia State, a group of thugs, suspected 4 • There were multiple kidnappings reported to be loyalists of the ruling PDP, reportedly stormed the state headquarters of the in Rivers. Gunmen abducted the elderly 2 mother of a State Assembly leader, and Progressive Peoples Alliance during a party 0 secretariat meeting. Party faithfuls were demanded a twenty million dollar ransom 2010 2011 abducted and property was looted and for her release. Kidnappers in Abia damaged. Policemen responsible for abducted a two year old boy for ransom; protecting the secretariat had reportedly when confronted, the kidnappers abandoned the boy in a forest where he left the building just before the attack occurred. was later discovered by locals. A reported ringleader of kidnappings in • Also in Abia State, the Anti-Terrorist Squad • Delta State, the chairman of the Anti- stationed at the council secretariat in Agboko was accused of harassing local Kidnapping Task Force, has been arrested government employees.

www.fundforpeace.org 9 The Fund for Peace Analysis: Select Indicators

Reported Pressures on Public Services

Nigeria One of the most important public to clear his name in relation to a case of services provided by the state is theft. While he waited to speak to the ensuring a functional and legitimate police community leader, four policemen arrived force for promoting peace, protecting human in a vehicle. One of the officers shot him in security and ensuring respect for human the stomach. At the time the incident was rights and the rule of law. This is especially reported, the case was before the Federal Kaduna important in post-conflict or fragile states, High Court. when a state is vulnerable to lapsing into • Also in Kaduna State, a policeman conflict. In Nigeria, there is a lack of public reportedly shot a man in the stomach trust and confidence in the police force. without due cause. Reports of police corruption and abuse • In Bayelsa State, a twenty-year old man Lagos included the following: was reportedly shot and killed by police Delta officers at a check point after refusing the Bayelsa • In Rivers State, police reportedly went on a Rivers pay a bribe. The three officers were shooting rampage after shooting and subsequently arrested. killing a suspected thief. The police started • In Lagos State, a policeman stopped a bus to shoot at random when on-lookers driver who was in the process of pulling protested the thief’s killing. over to pick up passengers. With his gun, • In Kaduna State, a popular entertainer was the officer broke the bus’ side mirror and reportedly shot and killed by a policeman. ordered passengers off the bus. Another The shooting reportedly occurred after the police officer managed to control the man went to his community leader’s home situation.

www.fundforpeace.org 10 The Fund for Peace Analysis The States

Nigeria Reports by State for the Reporting Period Rivers Rivers 40

Kaduna

20 Ibom Akwa Kaduna Kaduna

Lagos Delta Abia Bayelsa Bayelsa Lagos Lagos

Delta Kwara Abia Abia Bayelsa Akwa Ibom Rivers 0

Rivers State

Rivers is located in the South-South Harcourt because of the lack of career Rivers region, between Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa. opportunities. Primarily due to oil, Rivers boasts one of Nigeria’s largest state economies, yet the Ikwerre: There were reports of violent crime Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni benefits of this rarely trickle down to and corruption, among other issues. citizens. With 41 reports, Rivers had the • A mentally disabled man was beaten and largest number of reports during this period. killed by crowd of people at an

d Within Rivers State, the Local Government t a intersection after he stood in the middle of s o a h E Ikwerre Area with the most reported incidents was the road. A Port Harcourt with 18 reports, followed by Obio/ • A family of four, including a pregnant Akpor Ikwerre with 6 reports, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada woman, were burned to death in a house Port Harcourt East, Khana, Ogba/Egbma/Ndoni with 2 Gokana Khana fire after a tanker exploded near their reports, and Gokana and Eleme with 1 report home. respectively. • There were reports of a governor forcefully

taking land without compensating land Port Harcourt : Police corruption, robbery and human flight were reported. owners.

• There were several cases of police officers Obio/Akpor : Robbery, violent crime and child stopping cars and demanding bribes. abuse were reported. • Two bank robberies were reported in • Armed robbers killed three policemen which several people were killed. after stealing money from a vehicle they • Skilled workers are reportedly leaving Port had stopped.

www.fundforpeace.org 11 The Fund for Peace Analysis: State-by-State

• A five year old was reportedly flogged to Ahoada East : Human flight and child abuse • A councilor reportedly paid a group of death by her stepmother. was reported. young boys to beat a carpenter to death. • A large number of young people are He has since been arrested. Khana : T here were reports of protests and leaving their communities to wealthier • A community chief was arrested for raping violent crime. areas. a ten year-old girl. He was released after • The Ogani women in Khana protested • A 13 year-old girl was reportedly raped by reportedly bribing police. against the government’s forceful a man who had escaped from prison. acquisition of their land. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni : The mother of a State Gokana and Eleme : Organized crime and Assembly member was abducted. child abuse was reported.

Akwa Ibom State

Akwa Ibom Akwa Ibom State had the second most lost the primary round. reports for this period with 17 incident reports. Many of these reports relate to the Esit Eket : Protests and land disputes were child abuse, kidnappings and corruption reported. surrounding local elections. The largest • A group of women blocked access to a gas number of incident reports came from the company in protest of the negative effect Ikot capital of Akwa Ibom, Uyo, which had 5 Ekpene the company had on their livelihoods. reports, followed by Etinan, Esit Eket and Ikot • Two gunman shot and wounded several Ekpene with 2 reports, and Ikot Abasi, Ibeno people during a land dispute between two Uyo and Udung Uko with 1 report, respectively. communities.

Uyo : Most the reports concerned robbery, n

a Ikot Ekpene : There were reports concerning n Udung Uko i kidnappings and child abuse. t

E corruption surrounding the local elections. • Six men broke into a house and robbed it, One candidate reportedly won the primaries Esit Eket threatening to rape the occupants. because of her relationship with Akwa Ibom’s Ibeno • A senior council chair was kidnapped and first lady. Another female candidate reported only released after a ransom was paid. foul play on behalf of the community elders and chiefs. Etinan : Child abuse and corruption were reported. Ibeno : Gunmen reportedly attacked a Mobil • A ten year old boy was found living on his oil production site. own after he was abandoned by his parents. He had been living alone for five Udung Uko : T here was a report detailing an years. incident in which a women gained the majority of the votes in a local election, but • An aspiring councillor reported that her another candidate was announced the supporters were chased from polling winner. booths and votes were faked to ensure she

www.fundforpeace.org 12 The Fund for Peace Analysis: State-by-State

Delta State

Delta is located in the South-South • Robbery incidents have reportedly Delta region of Nigeria, next to Edo and Rivers increased. States. Delta is the second major oil • The Commissioner of Health was accused producing state after Rivers, and boasts many of hitting a female nurse, which led to a Oshimili South other natural resources. Many of the reports nurses’ strike. relate to cult violence and other violent crime. There were 13 reports for Delta for Oshimili South : An explosion was reported in this period. The Local Government Areas with Warri South Uvwie an urban area. A group of people reportedly the most reports were Warri South, with 6 used dynamite to blow up the base of a cell Ughelli North reports, followed by Oshimilli with 3 reports, tower. and Ughelli North and Uvwie with 1 report each. Ughelli North : There were reports of cattle

rustling. The same youths involved in this Warri South : There were reports concerning were also accused of stopping cars for bribes. robbery and violent crime, especially between cult gangs. Uvwie : Tension was reported within the • A community youth leader, in an attack Ekpan Development Committee, a committee against a cult group, reportedly shot and responsible for the economic and killed 14 people. Many of those who were development affairs of the community. The killed were innocent spectators, including leaders reportedly tried to amend the a 12 year-old girl. The shooter was freed community constitution without following from prison after he bribed a policeman. the correct process, causing concern among • A cult leader was shot dead by an opposing community elites. cult in Warri South.

www.fundforpeace.org 13 The Fund for Peace UNLocK Nigeria Timeline

Timeline: 2011

October November December

Bayelsa PDP Gubernatorial Primaries

Abia : Several women Akwa Ibom: Women in Edo community of Esit Eket Akwa Ibom: Semi-skilled workers of were arrested by police blocked the access road to a gas processing facility oil/gas companies protested the lack after peacefully protest- of local employment. ing the rape of a student Bayelsa: Five people were killed during cult clashes. Delta: Protesters reportedly locked at the state university. Residents alleged the incident could be related to the upcoming gubernatorial election. workers out of the Delta State Oil Akwa Ibom : Gunmen Producing Area Development Bayelsa: Four people killed in cult violence days prior to reportedly attacked a Commission for two days. the primaries. Mobile vessel. Rivers: Multiple armed robberies Delta: A former CPP governorship candidate was arrested, reportedly left several people dead. shot, and left for dead at a police station. Rivers: Mother of state assembly Rivers: Several policemen reportedly killed by armed deputy majority leader abducted. robbers in an attack on a bullion van.

Timeline: 2012

January February March April

Occupy Nigeria Protests Bayelsa Gubernatorial Elections Rainy Season Akwa Ibom PDP Primary Kaduna Bomb Delta: Violence reported Bayelsa: A surge in cult vio- between Fulani nomads and lence kills several, particularly Abia: The National Union of Akwa Ibom: Female coun- community members. in Amassoma. Local Government Employ- cillorship aspirants re- ees (NULGE) complained of ported foul play in the PDP Rivers: The Nigerian govern- Delta: Cult violence reported. harassment from the Anti- primaries in Uruan, Ikot ment removed the fuel subsidy Terror Squad. Ekpene, and Ikot Abasi. leading to ten days of protests. Lagos: A flood left many families homeless and without Delta: Increased numbers Kaduna: A bomb was set Rivers: There is a reported property. of abductions reported. off by Boko Haram killing increase of police extorting Head of anti-kidnapping over fifty people. money from taxi drivers. squad arrested in conjunction with the surge in Rivers: Guns were report- abductions. edly fired between Fulani Rivers: Multiple cases of sexual herdsmen and community violence and child abuse members in Ubima. reported.

www.fundforpeace.org 14 The Fund for Peace UNLocK Nigeria Conclusion

Looking Ahead

From the point of view of some According to police reports, in 2011 there in this report, between October 2011 and observers, the threat posed by insecurity in were over 350 cases of abduction in Delta April 2012, there were incidents of election Nigeria is much reduced. The Amnesty State alone. Incidents reported by the irregularities and violence at the Program in the Niger Delta has brought down UNLocK network in Nigeria speak to gubernatorial levels in Akwa Ibom and attacks on oil facilities. And for all the horror continued conflict between and among Bayelsa. Frequently reported incidents posed by Boko Haram in the North, those communities. Within communities, there is included political intimidation and vote militants have not been able to interrupt violence between the youth and the elders. rigging. There were a number of reports business to a degree that puts much pressure Youth believe their elders have been co- relating to bad policing, including police on the state. opted by the oil companies. The elders brutality and corruption. Nigeria remains one believe the youth are trouble-makers out to of the most unequal countries in the world. But from the point of view of human security, undermine traditional values and leadership. The population continues to live in poverty, the threat of violence continues unabated. Between communities, there is violence over despite the vast amounts of oil resources in Unfortunately, the government does not have resources and land, often exacerbated by the the Niger Delta region. Public services are as much incentive to deal with human presence of oil fields, which raise the stakes dismal. security as it does threats against the state. on these disputes. Cult groups fight with one When the government’s budget is not another. Violence breaks out between the Boko Haram has exacerbated tension dependent on a broad tax base, (oil and gas public security forces and criminal groups. between Muslims and Christians, northerners make up 80 percent of government revenue) and southerners. In the past year, there have there is less accountability with respect to In the midst of all of this, Nigerian men, even been a few reports of violence against the concerns of the average person. women, and children suffer. Conflict causes northerners in Rivers and Delta states, as prices to rise and incomes to fall. Traditional these national-level tensions have escalated. In the Niger Delta, militants are no longer livelihoods are less profitable than before. Such violence against northerners in the attacking state assets. However, youth are People live in fear. Government South-South is unusual and must be watched still being recruited into cult groups at an accountability is low. Traditional governance closely. alarming rate, particularly in Delta, Rivers, structures lack the authority and legitimacy and Bayelsa states. These cult groups serve to deal with these issues. Perhaps the solution is building social as a gateway into worse forms of criminality capital among average Nigerians so that including abductions, murders, bank A relatively free and fair presidential election spoilers and special interests cannot hijack robberies, political thuggery, and intra- in 2011 did not solve these problems. There the agenda of the state. Civil society must be communal violence. are still problems of accountability, and deep energized and empowered so their voices are problems of human insecurity. As highlighted heard.

www.fundforpeace.org 15 The Fund for Peace About The Fund for Peace

Conflict Early Warning Transnational Sustainable Development, and Assessment Threats Sustainable Security

The Fund for Peace is an international organizations, the military, independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non- nongovernmental organizations, academics, profit research and educational organization journalists, civil society networks, and the that works to prevent violent conflict and private sector. promote sustainable security. 55th Anniversary 1957-2012 The Fund for Peace offers a wide range of We promote sustainable security through approaches for conflict mitigation that are initiatives focused on our central objective: research, training and education, engagement useful to decision-makers. to promote sustainable security and the of civil society, building bridges across ability of a state to solve its own problems diverse sectors, and developing innovative The Fund for Peace adopts a holistic approach peacefully without an external military or technologies and tools for policy makers. to the issues stemming from weak and failing administrative presence. Our programs fall states. We work at both the grassroots level into three primary thematic areas: A leader in the conflict assessment and early with civil society actors and at policy levels • Conflict Early Warning and Assessment; warning field, the Fund for Peace focuses on with key decision makers. We have worked in • Transnational Threats; and the problems of weak and failing states. Our over 50 countries with a wide range of • Sustainable Development, Sustainable objective is to create practical tools and partners in all sectors: governments, Security.

www. fund for peace .org

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The Fund for Peace Conflict Early Warning and Assessment www. fund for peace .org

FFP : CUNGR1212