THE FUND FOR PEACE Conflict Bulletin:

Patterns and Trends, January 2012 - J u n e 2 0 1 5

Although on a per capita basis, snapshot of the trends and patterns of shows the number of incidents and fatalities violence is relatively high in Bayelsa, the conflict risk factors at the State and Local over time. The bar chart shows the trend of number of fatalities and incidents have Government Area (LGA) levels, drawing on incidents of insecurity by LGA per capita. dropped since 2010. In February 2012, the data available on the P4P Digital (PDP) was elected as Platform for Multi-Stakeholder Engagement The summaries draw on data collected by governor after a period of uncertainty in the (www.p4p-nigerdelta.org). It represents a FFP’s UNLocK, the Council on Foreign wake of Governor ’s compilation of the data from the sources Relations’ NST, WANEP Nigeria, CSS/ETH termination in January 2012. Over the last listed below, not necessarily the opinions of Zurich, Nigeria Watch, NEEWS2015, and four years, incidents of insecurity in Bayelsa FFP or any other organization that ACLED integrated on the P4P platform. They have included cult violence, piracy, collaborated on the production of this also draw on data and information from abductions, and attacks on energy bulletin. “Violence in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” infrastructure. Conflict factors were mainly by Patricia Taft and Nate Haken (Springer reported around the capital of , but The screenshot of the heat map on this Press, April 2015). While this bulletin is not also in and . page shows the relative distribution of exhaustive of all violence in Bayelsa, it gives incidents from one LGA to the next from an overview of the types and trajectory of This Conflict Bulletin provides a brief 2012-2014. The trend-line on the next page violence trends in key LGAs.

Reported Violence* Overview of Bayelsa State

Fatalities per Capita (Jan 2012-June 2015)

Worse

With 2 million people, Bayelsa is one of the

smallest states in the country, by population.

Most are of Ijaw descent. Bayelsa produces

Better between 30-40% of Nigeria’s oil and gas. In

Delta Edo Bayelsa Cross River Rivers Imo Ondo IbomAkwa Abia addition to the sector, the state

has an extensive commercial fishing industry

and produces oil palm, raffia palm, rubber,

and coconut.

* Using Nigeria Watch data (www.nigeriawatch.org) formatted The graphic above is a Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk to the P4P Web Map platform (www.p4p-nigerdelta.org) in Bayelsa State 2012-2015 — www.p4p-nigerdelta.org. NIGERIA CONFLICT BULLETIN: BAYELSA STATE

Conflict Risk Factors in Bayelsa State* Brass (Bayelsa East Senatorial District) 60

Incidents 50 Key LGA Risk Factors Fatalities > Attacks on Energy Infrastructure 40 > Kidnapping > Piracy 30 > Political violence 20 > Inter-communal/Land Conflict

10 With its extensive shoreline, Brass is an LGA that sometimes experiences attacks on 0 nearby vessels, many of which are Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun associated with the oil industry. Data from 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 CSS/ETH Zurich points to over a dozen such * Using Nigeria Watch data (www.nigeriawatch.org) formatted to the P4P Web Map platform (www.p4p-nigerdelta.org) incidents occurring during 2012-2013, some of which resulted in kidnappings as well as Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Bayelsa State (by LGA)* the loss of property and lives.

In 2014 and early 2015, abductions and

killings by pirates continued. In March,

Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 gunmen reportedly abducted a husband Worse Jan-Jun 2014 Jul-Dec 2013 and wife. Later, in August, a passenger boat Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 driver was shot dead by pirates. In two Jan-Jun 2012 separate incidents in October, sea pirates allegedly killed four policemen and abducted six civilians while gunmen attacked a tugboat and abducted the

captain. Between January and June 2015

there were four reports of pirate attacks. Better

Yenagoa Southern Ijaw Nembe Brass Kolokuma/ There was a rise in election tensions and Opokuma violence in 2015 as the elections drew nearer, including reports of political thugs destroying campaign materials, youths threatening INEC over the distribution of PVCs, the destruction of campaign materials by youths, inter-party threats, and a woman beaten in a political attack FFP is committed to promoting One of the data sources utilized in The data used in this analysis was over money. sustainable human security around the summary was derived from the pulled from the integrated digital the world, and is the International UNLocK network in Nigeria, a platform for multistakeholder In late January and early February 2015, Coordinating Partner on Partners partnership between The Fund for engagement developed by P4P, an there were also a few incidents of inter- for Peace (P4P), an initiative Peace and the Institute of Human initiative supported by Partnership communal land clashes and cult violence. supported by PIND. FFP has been Rights and Humanitarian Law Initiatives for the working with local civil society in (IHRHL). (PIND). For a deeper understanding In June 2012, a JTF/Navy patrol reportedly Nigeria to develop the UNLocK of the conflict risk factors, visit killed six pirates on a vessel transporting network since 2010. www.p4p-nigerdelta.org. stolen crude. Three naval officers were also killed in the fight which later became a source of tension in the community as the Disclaimer The content of this report represents a summary of the incidents reported in the data, Independent newspaper reported that the not the opinions of the organizations that collaborated on the compilation of this information. suspected pirates were actually indigenes

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Ekeremor Kolokuma/Opokuma (Bayelsa West Senatorial District) (Bayelsa Central Senatorial District) returning from a funeral. A community Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors petition was then reported to have been > Protests > Attacks on energy infrastructure circulated and sent to the Chief Army Staff > Piracy > Protests protesting the killing and requesting an > Political Violence > Domestic violence inquiry into such violence undertaken by > Intra-Communal Violence > Political Tension patrols. (Youth vs. Elders) > Kidnapping > Inter-communal violence In November of 2013, it was reported that a In early 2015, there were many reports of group of seven gunmen kidnapped the In early 2015, there were multiple cases of violence and protests related to the oil father of Bayelsa State Commissioner for inter and intra-communal tensions. The industry. In January and February, there Tourism. Other reported issues during this intra-communal violence related to youths were protests reported, including one in time period included the October 2012 disagreeing with community elders over January where youths barricaded an oil removal of five LGA chairmen for financial pipeline surveillance jobs. In January, inter- facility construction site. Tension was recklessness shortly after the election of communal tensions rose when a youth was reported regarding the distribution of funds Governor Dickson. They denied the charges killed in a clash with a rival community. Like to the Amnesty program and regarding of impropriety and accused Dickson of other states in early 2015, pipeline surveillance contracts. Tension targeting certain individuals in order to witnessed a rise in political violence. There related to the election was also elevated marginalize them from politics. These were reports of threats against the LG during this period. There were general intra- accusations, and other related claims, Chairman. There were also reports of party tensions regarding the selection of a continued throughout 2012-2013 although clashes between supporters of two party candidate, frustrations over alleged overall, political tensions seemed to candidates as well as grievances with the uneven PVC distribution, destruction of decrease by the end of 2013, before rising PVC distribution process. In February, a local campaign materials, and tension over the again in 2015. monarch led protests against the alleged distribution of compensation for those abandonment of a shore protection project; involved in campaigns. the community is reportedly threatened by sea erosion. In early 2014, boat drivers Incidents reported in Kolokuma/Opokuma under the Maritime Workers Union in 2012 mainly related to the devastation protested against pirate activity in the caused by flooding. In March 2012, it was region. reported that a “general” from a local militia had attacked an oil flow station in protest of the lack of development in the Niger Delta. In mid- to late-2013, violence related to domestic disputes were the main reported incidents of insecurity although early in the year problems associated with the flooding still lingered. In October of 2014, unidentified gunmen kidnapped the brother of the monarch of the of Kolokuma Kingdom. Their demands were not known.

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Nembe (Bayelsa East Senatorial District) (Bayelsa East Senatorial District) (Bayelsa West Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Attacks on energy infrastructure > Kidnapping > Intra-Communal Violence > Piracy > Protests (Leadership Tussle) > Political violence > Piracy Unidentified gunmen in April 2015 abducted > Inter-Communal Conflict In the lead-up to the 2015 elections, there the Chairman of Ogbia LGA, and other > Protests was an increase in politically-motivated gunmen in June abducted two Lebanese > Political violence violence reported. In January and February and killed policemen in the process. In July, 2015, there were multiple reports of rising youths protested to demand the January and February 2015 saw an increase inter-party tensions, the use of political appointment of indigenes into management in political violence. There were clashes thugs during campaign rallies, destruction positions in the Federal University. between different party supporters, of campaign materials, and complaints by complaints about the process of PVC voters that politicians took their PVCs. In early 2014, gunmen invaded the distribution, non-indigenes complaints of hometown of President Jonathan and disenfranchisement in the election process, In February, there was also a shoot-out abducted the 70-year-old foster father of and violent disruptions in political rallies. between police and militants which left five the President. It was not clear whether the There were also complaints of a lack of dead and a conflict between Christians and kidnapping was politically motivated. power supply and protests planned over Traditionalists. Gunmen later kidnapped four civilians on a problems with electricity supply. passenger boat as well as three expatriates Sporadic pirate attacks continued in two separate incidents in October and In December 2014, members of an oil union throughout 2014. In several cases, multiple November. In December, members of an oil protested in all eight LGAs of Bayelsa, policemen and soldiers were killed. In two union protested in several locations, preventing all workers from entering oil instances of reported piracy, it was noted preventing all workers from entering oil installations. that the attackers also attempted to abduct installations. the victims. In December, sea pirates In February 2013, an incident of piracy was attacked and allegedly murdered three In January 2013, gunmen reportedly reported in which gunmen allegedly killed soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task invaded the country home of the Local several soldiers who were escorting an oil Force in the Niger Delta. Council Chairman and abducted his parents vessel in the creeks. In December, there was for ransom. It was reported that they were a report of possible inter-communal tension Data from CSS/ETH Zurich and the Council released a week later. when two men were killed after a feud with on Foreign relations reported an April 2013 herdsmen over cattle blocking a main attack by MEND on an oil well which was As in many other LGAs across the region, roadway although it appeared to be an said to have caused a spill and created an flooding in October 2012 reportedly isolated incident. Tension within the Ijaw environmental emergency. In the later half submerged communities and led to Youth Council was also reported at of 2013, there was an escalation in reported displacement and some food scarcity intermittent times throughout the year. attacks by pirates on passenger boats as issues. well as military police and Navy formations. In October 2012, massive flooding hit It was reported that as of late 2013, up to Sagbama causing food scarcity and twenty civilians had been killed by pirate epidemics, as Nigeria experienced the most activity or from being caught in the crossfire severe rainy season in decades. That same between police and suspected pirates. This month, the LGA council chairman was number could not be independently verified removed for alleged impropriety. In although multiple news sources did November 2012, there was a reported corroborate the rise in violent deaths and incident of intra-communal conflict which general insecurity surrounding suspected resulted in the death of about a dozen pirate activity and police counter-actions. people after a traditional ruler was removed Incidents reported in Nembe included an by the Sylva administration. alleged attack by MEND on marine policemen in 2012.

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Southern Ijaw Yenagoa (Bayelsa Central Senatorial District) (Bayelsa Central Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors an abortion. During the same month, two > Political violence > Political violence officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil > Cult Clashes > Cult violence Defense Corps (NSCDC) were arrested over > Attacks on energy infrastructure > Protests their involvement in the killing of a boat > Piracy/Militancy > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict owner. > Kidnapping > Kidnapping

In 2013, there were reported clashes In early 2015, reported incidents of conflict In the first half of 2015 there were reports between members of the Joint Task Force risk factors included political violence, of protests, cult violence, domestic violence, (JTF) and militants in the Azuzuama area, disease outbreaks, and cult violence. There and attacks on ex-militants. In January, killing several and displacing local residents. was one report of a sea pirate attack in health workers at the Federal Medical The Movement for the Emancipation of the January. At the end of January and early Centre staged a peaceful protest over the Niger Delta (MEND) also claimed to have February, there were reports of political alleged refusal of the federal government to killed 15 officers in a boat attack. In early hate speech, youths attacking political discuss the demands of their union. In May 2013, a shooting by suspected candidates and clashing amongst March, drivers in the Government security renegade militants left five ex-militants themselves over leadership, and clashes outfit protested the non-payment of their dead. In the second half of 2013, reports of between different political party supporters. salaries, and workers shut down a gas police action leading to the deaths of There were a few reports relating to cholera gathering facility in protest of the company’s suspected pirates, as well as police deaths, outbreak in the state in February. There alleged violation of local content law and were reported in May, July and October, were also many incidents of cult clashes and poor employment policies. In May, women although the estimated numbers of cult recruitments reported. In June, a young protested an expired memorandum of individuals killed varied. Other incidents man was killed by gunmen when he understanding with an oil company. In the reported in 2013 included deaths related to attempted to stop an operation planned by first half of 2015, cultists reportedly oil bunkering as well as a few instances of kidnappers. attacked and raped an 18 year old girl and attacks on local oil dredgers. murdered three men. An ex-militant found

In early 2014, a clash between cult groups at dynamite planted outside of his home, and Reported incidents of insecurity in Southern the Niger Delta University resulted in another ex-militant was killed in a clash with Ijaw in 2012 included attacks on energy several fatalities. Also, in the first half of the police during a protest. There were also two infrastructure, politically motivated violence, year, unidentified gunmen ambushed a reported domestic violence fatalities in and cultist attacks on university students. In group of twenty police escorting an ex- February and May. January 2012, unidentified gunmen MEND leader along the creeks of the Niger reportedly attacked the home of an ex- Delta. No casualties were reported in the In 2014 there were incidents of suspected militant leader and killed a policeman and incident. In August, gunmen abducted the political violence, protests, cultism, young ex-militant. A fight broke out at a younger brother to the Speaker of Bayelsa vigilantism, piracy, and general criminality. political rally in February 2012, resulting in House of Assembly. The abduction came at Political violence included incidents late in at least one death. In March and April 2012, a time when the House Speaker was the year when unidentified gunmen shot there were reported attacks on oil pipelines, enduring possible impeachment and killed the Secretary of Bayelsa State the first such reports in over a year. In July, proceedings. In July, a team of policemen Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC), gunmen reportedly attacked a boat repelled an attack on an oil installation and and one in which suspected PDP political belonging to an oil company, killing at least reportedly killed five pirates in the process. thugs raided the Bayelsa State Secretariat of three and injuring others. Throughout 2012 The pirates were said to have attacked an oil the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to cultists reportedly killed Niger Delta rig belonging to an foreign drilling company hijack election materials for the Federal University students in several incidents. when they opened fire on the policemen on House of Representatives primaries in the Flooding was a problem in October 2012. duty. Boat drivers under the Maritime state. Protests included one in August, when Workers Union later protested against youths shut down five oil wells. The perceived increased pirate activity in the protesting youths demanded that the region. In October, two murders reported company provide them with a generator. A included that of a businessman and the second protest of a similar nature took other of a woman who was killed for having place just days later after other

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expectations were not met by the company. reported, some targeting politicians or candidates. Ex-militants reportedly attacked Finally, in December, members of an oil cluster oil wells several times throughout union protested in several locations, the year, claiming that their actions were in preventing all workers from entering oil protest against their exclusion from the installations. Other incidents during the federal amnesty program. In June, women year included a clash between two cult reportedly barricaded an oil facility, groups in which several people were killed. protesting that the company had failed to In September, police allegedly killed two meet community obligations while causing vigilantes as they were attempting to lynch a environmental and social degradation. In group of suspected armed robbers. In November 2012, hundreds reportedly November, pirates carried out several protested over the non-payment of attacks on passenger boats. Separately, expected allowances from the amnesty that same month, gunmen reportedly killed program over a six-month period. Also in two policemen and a civilian. November, hundreds of flood victims reportedly protested against government In February, 2013 it was reported that up to action to remove them from relief camps. 200 former militants rioted and destroyed There were multiple reports of police property when they learned that they would clashes with suspected armed robbers and not be included in the third phase of the kidnappers. amnesty program. In August, Vanguard news reported that 12 suspected pirates killed by the were actually members of a defunct militant group refusing to turn over arms or join the amnesty program. November of 2013 was characterized by violence reportedly stemming from continued political tensions surrounding the Ijaw National Congress Elections in October. Incidents included the reported targeting and kidnapping of youth group members and political allies supportive of each candidate. Later in November, up to five people were reportedly killed in clashes between two communities over farmland.

In early 2014, unidentified gunmen killed the former Chairman of Peremabiri Community Development Committee (CDC) in his residence in Akenpai. His attackers reportedly took nothing from the victim’s home, suggesting motives other than robbery.

In 2012, there were two bombings suspected to be linked to political tensions around the gubernatorial elections. Multiple incidents of cultist violence were

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