Monthly Conflict Incident Tracker

Abia State - May/June 2016

B a ck gro und Osisioma . Also in April, there was a Recent Incidents or reported shoot-out between gunmen and This monthly tracker is designed to update security agents in the convoy of the state Issues, June 2016 Peace Agents on patterns and trends in governor in Aba. Incidents of conflict risk and violence that conflict risk and violence, as identified by the were reported in June were related mainly Integrated Peace and Development Unit In May, a clash with ethnic undertones to cult violence and criminality, including robbery and kidnapping. (IPDU) early warning system, and to seek reportedly led to the deaths of as many as a feedback and input for response to mitigate dozen Igbo and Hausa traders, according to Kidnapping and Robbery: Kidnappers reportedly shot dead two policemen and areas of conflict. some reports, after a meat seller was killed abducted two businessmen in Aba. In a in Aba. In a separate incident, three fatalities Patterns and Trends separate incident, the leader of a robbery M ar 2 01 6 -M ay 20 1 6 were reported during a conflict between and kidnapping syndicate was reported killed Igbo and Hausa traders at the Ariaria by police in Aba. According to Peace Map data (see Figure 1), International Market in . Cult Violence: Police reportedly arrested Lethality of conflict decreased after four members of the Burkina Faso cult group February, but communal violence and cult violence remain elevated. Figure 1: Incidents and Fatalities

In March, a police officer, who was in charge 18 of the Human Rights Desk in the LGA, was 16 reportedly shot dead in . Killings 14 and reprisals between the Burkina Faso and 12 the Mafia cult groups reportedly led to the 10 deaths of 4 in Isuikwato. 8 6 In April, five Hausa-Fulani commercial 4 motorcyclists were reported murdered by 2 kidnappers in Isuikwato. This incident led to 0 ethno-sectarian finger-pointing and Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16 May-16 speculation regarding the motive behind the Incidents Fatalities killing. Separately, in April, soldiers reportedly killed two kidnappers and Reported incidents and fatalities from Feb –May 2016 in Abia State. rescued a kidnapped woman and her son in Sources: ACLED and Watch formatted on the P4P Peace Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org. CONFLICT INCIDENT TRACKER—ABIA—MAY/JUNE 2016

over the murder of two students of the state Figure 2: Conflict Fatalities by LGA (Mar– May 2016) University of Agriculture in Umudike. 10 Mob Violence: A team of policemen was 9 reported attacked by a mob over a fatal road 8 crash at a checkpoint in Aba. 7 Pr o gno s is 6 5 Ethnic and communal tensions are elevated 4 in Abia. These tensions should be monitored 3 by peace agents in the state, especially in the 2 context of the current political tensions 1 associated with a federal high court 0 Aba South Aba North Osisioma Ngwa Bende judgment annulling the gubernatorial election. The current political stalemate is a Gang/Cult Violence Communal/Ethnic Violence Other Fatalities potential conflict driver in the state. Reported incidents show the relative levels of violence by LGA during the last three months. Source: ACLED and Nigeria Watch data formatted for the P4P Peace Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org Questions for Peace Figure 3: Heatmap of Incidents and Peace Agents in Abia State A ge nt s

1. Is there anything significant missing from the tracker in terms of hotspots, trends, or incidents? 2. Which conflict issue or potential conflict issue suggested by, or missing from, this tracker is a top priority for you (as P4P Chapter, Prevent Committee, or other stakeholder)? 3. What are some likely trigger events in the next 6 months that could Heatmap shows concentration of incidents reported from Mar – May 2016 in Abia State; with green stars representing the registered Peace Agents. Source: All data sources formatted for the P4P Peace Map escalate this conflict? www.p4p-nigerdelta.org 4. Who are the key stakeholders that Report Incidents: IPDU Early Warning System have influence on the conflict? Please report any verified incident of conflict to the IPDU SMS early warning system: 5. What will you do to help mitigate Text: 080 9936 2222 the conflict in the short, medium, Incident Details: Kindly include the State, LGA, Town, Date, and Brief Incident Description and long term? Contact Us Inquiries: Afeno Super Odomovo, IPDU Research Coordinator Telephone: 08172401595 Email: [email protected]

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