NIGER DELTA CONFLICT BULLETINS AUGUST 2015

THE FUND FOR PEACE 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 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.

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Report Written by Assessment, Content, and Design Supported by Nate Haken, Patricia Taft, Hannah Blyth, Kendall Lawrence J. J. Messner, Logan Cuthbert, Sarah Silverman

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One of the data sources utilized in the summary was derived from the UNLocK network in The data used in this analysis was pulled from the integrated digital platform for Nigeria, a partnership between The Fund for Peace and the Institute of Human Rights multistakeholder engagement developed by P4P, an initiative supported by Partnership and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL). Initiatives for the Niger Delta (PIND). For a deeper understanding of the conflict risk factors, visit www.p4p-nigerdelta.org.

Disclaimer The content of this report represents a summary of the incidents reported in the data, not the opinions of the organizations that collaborated on the compilation of this information. THE FUND FOR PEACE Niger Delta Conflict Bulletins: August 2015

C o n t e n t s

These Conflict Bulletin provide brief The screenshots of the heat maps for each The summaries draw on data collected by snapshots of the trends and patterns of state show the relative distribution of ACLED, FFP’s UNLocK, the Council on conflict risk factors at the State and LGA incidents from one LGA to the next from Foreign Relations’ NST, WANEP Nigeria, CSS/ levels, drawing on the data available on the January 2012 to June 2015. The trendline ETH Zurich, NEEWS2015, and Nigeria Watch P4P Digital Platform for Multi-Stakeholder charts show the number of incidents and integrated on the P4P platform. They also Engagement. It represents a compilation of fatalities over time. The bar charts show the draw on data and information from the data from the sources listed below, not relative trend of incidents of insecurity by “Violence in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” necessarily the opinions of The Fund for LGA per capita. by Patricia Taft and Nate Haken (Springer Peace or any other organization that Press, April 2015). collaborated on the production of this bulletin.

Reported Violence† State Conflict Bulletins for the Nine Niger Delta States Fatalities per Capita (Jan 2012-June 2015)

Ondo Edo

PAGE PAGE 37 29

Worse Imo Abia

Cross River

PAGE

PAGE

Delta 33 9 PAGE

21

PAGE 25 Better

Akwa Ibom

Bayelsa

Delta Edo Bayelsa Cross River Rivers Imo Ondo IbomAkwa Abia

PAGE

12

Rivers

PAGE

16 PAGE † Using Nigeria Watch data (www.nigeriawatch.org) formatted 40 to the P4P Web Map platform (www.p4p-nigerdelta.org)

* Charts in this report use Nigeria Watch

data (www.nigeriawatch.org) formatted to PLUS: Special Feature on the P4P Web Map platform (www.p4p- PAGE 5 Conflict Prevention in Rivers nigerdelta.org)

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 3 THE FUND FOR PEACE FEATURE NIGER DELTA CONFLICT BRIEFING THE FUND FOR PEACE Conflict Prevention in Rivers Following Election Violence

Briefing — August 2015

Background with reported conflict incidents including the deaths of party loyalists from both

sides, the bombing of party secretariats, According to the Independent National and the kidnapping and intimidation of Electoral Commission (INEC), and political opponents. As illustrated in the corroborated by data from the P4P Peace graph below, drawing from Peace Map data, Map, Rivers State experienced the country’s the State experienced a major spike in both highest levels of violence during the 2015 political conflict-related incidents and gubernatorial elections, resulting in the fatalities in the first part of the year, peaking deaths of political party rivals, their hired around the time of the gubernatorial security agents and police officers. elections in April.

The current political dynamics in Rivers pre- In the midst of the pre-election instability, date the April 2015 gubernatorial elections. the APC opted to boycott the elections after There has been heightened tension in the appeals to INEC to cancel the elections were state since 2013, when Govenor Rotimi The Nigerian Presidential and National unsuccessful. Polls proceeded and PDP was Chibuike Amaechi defected from the ruling Assembly elections of March 2015 were delivered a landslide victory in the State PDP to the APC after having a falling out widely praised by international observers as House Assembly, and Chief Wike was within his party. Officials across the free and fair, with relatively peaceful declared the winner of the gubernatorial governing political apparatus picked sides outcomes across most states. However, election. and a series of manoeuvrings ensued, among those states with elevated levels of including the removal and replacement of a political conflict was Rivers, where tension The APC rejected the election results and former PDP Chairman by the Federal High has cascaded with subsequent state and sought redress in the state election petition Court and the impeachment of the Speaker local elections in April and May. This tribunal, which was relocated to Abuja of the Rivers State House of Assembly by a briefing provides context to the local amidst security concerns. Led by APC group of five legislators. Other controversial government dynamics surrounding the candidate Dr. Peterside, they alleged that events that gave rise to tensions in the state administration of incumbent All the results were rigged in favour of the PDP included the deployment of a new Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and claimed the party conspired with Commissioner of Police to the state and Governor Amaechi, and the succeeding security forces and armed thugs to protests by a group of ex-militants against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate intimidate their supporters and prevent the Governor. Governor Wike, elected in April. As a series them from voting. of judicial challenges unfold in the The 2015 state elections were hotly aftermath of the local elections, and The announcement by the outgoing APC contested between the PDP candidate Chief tensions continue between the PDP and administration that the Rivers State Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, former Education APC parties, close monitoring of the political Independent Election Committee (RSIEC) Minister, and Dr. Dakuku Peterside of the situation is required for early warning and would stage local elections on 23 May (6 APC. conflict mitigation. days before the end of their administration)

had the effect of continuing tensions, The period during the gubernatorial though violence was much reduced. The campaigns in the state was characterised by PDP sought an injunction from the Federal violent clashes between the APC and PDP High Court in Port Harcourt to prevent the

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 5 THE FUND FOR PEACE CONFLICT PREVENTION IN RIVERS STATE FOLLOWING ELECTION VIOLENCE

Election-Related Fatalities Reported by State: April Gubernatorial Elections

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Rivers Keluai Ebonyi Osun Taraba Berue IbomAkwa Delta Lagos Imo Kaduna Kano Vasarawa Katsina Ekiti Cross River Adamawa Bauchi Plateau F.C.T. Jigawa Kwara

Peace Map Data shows Rivers State as the most lethal in regards to election-related violence during the Gubernatorial Election period. This chart draws on Nigeria Watch (www.nigeriawatch.org) and ACLED (www.acleddata.com) data formatted and uploaded to the P4P Peace Map (www.p4p-nigerdelta.org).

RSIEC elections from proceeding. Governor Wike moved to sack the 22 new paralysed the judiciary, stemming from a Nonetheless, the local elections were held APC chairmen and immediately inaugurated showdown between then-Governor on 23 May and boycotted by the PDP. The and swore in 23 Caretaker Committee Amaechi and the National Judicial Council outcome of the elections was a victory to Chairmen to take over temporary over the appointment of a Chief Judge (CJ) the APC, who won 22 out of the 23 administration of the Local Government for the state. In the absence of a CJ to chairmanship seats. Councils. Soon after the decision of the assign cases, a backlog developed over a court was given, the Inspector General of period of months. As tensions escalated, With the PDP’s Chief Wike inaugurated as Police (IGP) ordered his men to occupy all judicial workers went on strike, citing the Governor six days later on 29 May, the 23 LGA councils and to deny access to insecurity. Finally, in June of this year, the political manoeuvring continued. The the APC. Although this decision has been newly elected Governor Wike swore in Federal Court in Port Harcourt reached a rescinded, it was a source of much Justice Daisy Okocha as CJ, and courts decision on the legitimacy of the 23 May controversy in the state. Then on 13 July, the resumed. But to the extent that there is elections staged by the outgoing Governor National Industrial Court, which presides perception of or precedent for politicization Amaechi, ruling that the election of the 22 over civil and labour-related cases, ordered of the judiciary, this could undermine the APC chairmen be nullified. A bomb blast the reinstatement of the APC chairmen, effectiveness of the courts as they work to was reported outside the court during adding a new twist to the uncertainty. resolve disputes in the state. proceedings, although no casualties were reported. Implementing the court ruling, Political tensions going back to 2014 have

Implications for Rivers State Peace and Security

The recent contentions surrounding the fatalities and incidents for June 2015 criminality may now be incentivized to take local political process in Rivers State is by no dropped significantly from the previous a more militant stance. This will be means a new or unique phenomenon. three months, which may suggest signs of particularly salient surrounding the planned However, the heightened levels of violence conflict subsiding. phase out of the Amnesty Programme, reported in the lead up to the 2015 local which currently pays stipends to ex- elections, and the immediate aftermath, are However, given the realignment of political militants. This, in addition to ongoing cause for close monitoring of the situation. interests following the gubernatorial communal tensions, requires continued The explosion reported outside the Federal election (PDP at the state level and APC at vigilance for early warning and conflict Court during the 9 July ruling suggests the the federal level), some ex-militants and mitigation. levels of tension are still simmering cultists in Rivers who previously may have between party lines. Nonetheless, reported contented themselves with patronage or

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Election-Related Incidents and Fatalities in Rivers State 2015 Timeline

40 April 2015 35 Incidents INEC holds Rivers Gubernatorial and 30 Fatalities House of Assembly elections 25 20 PDP wins majority in House and their candidate Chief Wike is elected 15 Governor over APC’s Dr. Peterside 10 5 APC states it will contest the results of the Rivers gubernatorial elections at 0 the tribunal Jan-15 Feb-15 Mar-15 Apr -15 May -15 (Presidential (Gubernatorial (Local Elections) May 2015 Election) Election) RSIEC stage new local elections under purview of outgoing APC administra- Recommendations tion of Governor Amaechi PDP seeks injunction to prevent Nigerian Police: In the face of heightened people they claim to serve or want to serve. RSIEC’s elections tension in the state since 2013 and It is important for all issues to be settled PDP boycotts elections considering perceptions of the politicization through the courts or in a fully transparent of the security services in the past, this is and participative process. APC wins 22 of 23 chairmanship seats in local elections the time for the police hierarchy to start with a clean slate and ensure that they The Media: Heated rhetoric and biased The PDP’s Chief Wike is inaugurated maintain peace and order without being reporting has the effect of exacerbating as the new Governor partisan and with utmost professionalism. tensions. To maintain calm and peace in June 2015 Safeguarding the lives of citizens regardless the state it is imperative for the various of party affiliation and restoring law and media outlets to show professionalism and Governor Wike appoints Justice order should be the primary objective at neutrality in all news reportage of events Okocha as CJ, ending stalemate; this time. and analysis of those events. Realizing that Courts resume the wrong emphasis or the smallest July 2015 The Judiciary: It is critical that the judiciary unconfirmed detail can lead to suspicion remain transparent and seen to be and violent conflict between party Federal Court in PHC nullifies the May independent in handling judicial processes supporters, it is important that conflict 23 elections staged by RSIEC which and in settling the issues brought before it. sensitivity be applied in all news reporting. elected 22 APC chairman The judiciary is said to be the final arbiter Bomb blast reported outside the for dispute resolution and the judges should Civil Society: While every individual is Federal Court during ruling reflect this dictum, knowing also that any entitled to his or her own opinion and Governor Wike sacks the 22 new APC vagueness in its pronouncements could political preference, traditional rulers, chairman and inaugurates 23 aggravate tensions and violence in the state. women’s leaders, youth leaders, Caretaker Committee Chairmen This is especially important now, as the development and governance professionals, courts have resumed their work after a and all others with a stake in peace must Inspector General of Police orders barricading of all LG Councils period of uncertainty and political tensions. keep the public good in mind. They should focus on ensuring accountability and good National Industrial Court adjourns Politicians and Political Parties: The governance and advocate for their interests case seeking to nullify decision of the political parties and their protagonists using only peaceful and transparent means. Federal High Court should restrain their supporters from One way to actively promote peace is to Inspector General withdraws men engaging in violence. Violence begets participate in coalitions and initiatives such from the LG councils violence and would only serve to throw the as the Partners for Peace Network, or other state into further confusion and mayhem. similar efforts. This does not forward the interests of the

Briefing produced jointly by FFP, PIND, and NDPI

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 7 THE FUND FOR PEACE NIGER DELTA CONFLICT BULLETINS AUGUST 2015 THE FUND FOR PEACE Abia State

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

Since 2012, Abia has been the most second round of voting, after the first round schoolchildren from a bus, which led to a peaceful state in the Niger Delta overall, as was declared inconclusive due to security offensive by military and measured by fatalities per capita. In the irregularities. police. Other factors in the security 2015 gubernatorial elections, Okezie landscape include the role of vigilantes Ikpeazu, of the People’s Democratic Party In 2010, there was a spike in kidnapping (Bakassi Boys) and the Movement for the (PDP) was elected to replace outgoing activities and associated fatalities, including Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra Governor Theordore Orji (also PDP) in the a high profile kidnapping of over a dozen (MASSOB).

Conflict Risk Factors in Abia State* 80 70 Fatalities 60 Incidents 50 40 30 20 10 0 Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Abia 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Abia State (by LGA)* Overview of Abia State

Abia State has an estimated population of 2.4 Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 million, predominantly of Igbo origin.

Worse Jan-Jun 2014 Jul-Dec 2013 Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 Comparatively, it has not experienced the Jan-Jun 2012 levels of violence and insecurity that other states in the Niger Delta have over the time period analyzed. It has been the most peaceful state in Niger Delta since 2012 as measured by the number of conflict fatalities

per capita. Abia produces about 27% of Nigeria’s crude oil and a significant amount Better of its natural gas. It is also rich in yam, maize, rice, potatoes, and cashews. Ugwunagbo Aba N/S Umuahia N/S Osisioma_Ngwa Obi_Ngwa

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Aba North/South LGA Obi Ngwa (Abia South Senatorial District) (Abia South Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors abductions continued to be a concern. In > Criminality > Kidnapping January, a man who had been abducted was > Protests > Human Trafficking freed after four days. In February, two > Kidnapping women and a baby were reportedly > Cultism In 2014, in both February and October, it kidnapped in separate incidents. In May, a > Vigilantism was reported that clashes between police student from Abia State Polytechnic was > Mob Justice and members of a kidnapping ring led to reportedly shot to death by unknown the death of at least 3 suspected gunmen suspected of being cultists. In June, Issues in Aba North/South LGAs mainly kidnappers, one assumed to be the a member of Abia State Vigilante Services related to criminal activity and allegations of mastermind of the operation. (AVS), popularly known as the Bakassi Boys, corruption. In April 2015, a mob set a was allegedly shot and killed by armed suspected robber on fire. In May, a woman In early January 2013, it was reported that robbers. and a Catholic priest were kidnapped by up to 50 women who had been victims of a separate groups; one of the priest’s human trafficking ring were found and kidnappers was shot dead by police. In June, freed. artisans protested high electricity bills and poor electricity supply and water hawkers In April 2012, it was reported that an anti- protested the hike in prices of the products terrorism squad was accused of harassing sold. civilians although no further details were subsequently provided. In the second half of 2014, robberies and kidnapping remained the predominant incidents reported. In August, three people were killed during a robbery attack on a community. Also during the month, a man was pushed from a moving vehicle and killed by oncoming vehicles as a result of two men trying to rob him. In September, armed robbers reportedly killed two members of a vigilante group and in a separate incident in September, two people were killed in the cross-fire from a kidnapping attempt. In October, kidnappers killed two people. In November, it was reported that a journalist was abducted. He was released later in the month. In December, a nurse was stabbed to death by another woman during a fight.

In July 2012, there was a protest by women’s groups about layoffs in various sectors by the state government. In September and October, there were allegations in local newspapers about the connections between criminal gangs and political parties. Also during this time period, there were protests and complaints about taxes and levies, although none reportedly turned violent. In the first half of 2014, shootings and

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Osisioma-Ngwa Umuahia North/South (Abia South Senatorial District) (Abia Central Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors cult violence were reported in Umuahia > Kidnapping > Political Violence North/South LGAs in the time period > Human Trafficking > Kidnapping examined. In early 2012, the People’s > Political Tensions > Cultism Progressive Alliance headquarters was > Restive Youth reportedly attacked and property destroyed Some political violence was reported in by gangs believed to be connected to early 2015. In March, an improvised In February 2015, pensioners peacefully opposing political parties. Violence during explosive was discovered outside of a protested the non-payment of arrears in the 2012 annual New Yam Festival broke government building, and in April, political February. In March, members of the Nigeria out, causing destruction of property. Since thugs stole election materials. The military Labor Congress protested what they then, the P4P Network in Abia intervened to and the police reportedly clashed over an believed was political marginalization of prevent this festival from escalating again. alleged breach of protocol in June. local political candidates. Women of the All

Progressives Grand Alliance held a peaceful

In 2014, the main reported incidents related protest against alleged voter fraud by the to kidnapping, domestic violence, and oil PDP in April. In June 2015, the husband of a theft. Insecurity in Osisioma-Ngwa weightlifting champion was shot by increased in 2013, with several instances of unknown assailants. kidnappings, at least two cases suspected to be related to a ring of criminals involved in In the first half of 2014, the overall level of trafficking infants to so-called ‘baby violence appeared to be decreasing from factories.’ There were also reports of 2013. Incidents of abductions and killings, domestic violence during the year. however, continued. In February 2014, an aide to one of the sons of the State Governor was killed by an unknown gunman. In June 2014, a 72-year-old Ugwunagbo businessman was abducted by gunmen who demanded a N1.7 million ransom. The (Abia South Senatorial District) victim was reportedly found dead a day after the payment was made to the Key LGA Risk Factors kidnappers. In July, the Abia State > Restive Youth Commissioner for Agriculture was > Criminality reportedly shot. He died the following week. > Political Tensions In October, Umuahia North/South LGAs experienced a rise in incidents relating to With a small population (under 100,000), the upcoming elections. A political protest Ugwunabo LGA has a high number of per was reported on October 17. Later that capita incidents as compared to other LGAs same month, thugs reportedly stormed an in Abia State, but a low number of incidents APC venue and assaulted observers and overall. Issues related mainly to restive delegates, causing many to flee. youth and criminality. During the first round of the gubernatorial elections in 2015, In January 2013, a lawmaker was reportedly Ugwunagbo was one of the four LGAs kidnapped for ransom while in March of the where results were cancelled due to same year gunmen allegedly attacked the irregularities, leading to some inter-party home of former governor Orji Uzor Kalu. tension at the time. Also, in February, it was reported that a student died during a cult initiation ceremony at Abia State University.

Political thuggery, kidnapping, and cases of

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 11 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Akwa Ibom State

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

Overall, between 2012-2015, Akwa 2015, to replace outgoing Governor protested the results, alleging irregularities. Ibom was the second most peaceful state in Godswill Akpabio (also PDP) who was the Niger Delta region as measured by elected in 2007. Election violence was Other issues reported in the last three and a reported fatalities per capita. Udom reported in both 2011 and 2015. After the half years include land conflict and Emmanuel of the People’s Democratic Party most recent election, supporters of the abductions. (PDP) won the gubernatorial election in April opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)

Conflict Risk Factors in Akwa Ibom State*

70 60 Incidents 50 Fatalities 40 30 20 10 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Akwa Ibom 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Akwa Ibom State (by LGA)* Overview of Akwa Ibom State

Akwa Ibom has a population of about 3.9

Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 million people and is predominantly

Worse Jan-Jun 2014 Jul-Dec 2013 inhabited by the Ibibio people, the state is Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 also home to Annang, Oron, Obolo and Eket Jan-Jun 2012 communities. Endowed with large deposits of crude oil, condensate and gas, Akwa Ibom is among the largest petroleum producers in Nigeria. Agriculture also constitutes an

important income-generating activity in the

state, particularly the farming of palm

Better produce, rubber, cocoa, rice, cassava, yam, plantain, banana, maize, and timber. Mbo Uyo Oron Ikot Ekpene Ibesikpo Asutan

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Abak Esit-Eket Ikot Ekpene (Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District) (Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District) (Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Political Violence > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict > Kidnapping > Protests > Land Conflict Two people were reportedly killed during > Cult Clash the LGA PDP primaries in April 2012. Protests over oil spills affecting the Nkpana > Protests According to news reports, several other community occurred in June 2014. LGAs also experienced political violence Separately, in March 2013, a group, called There was a cult clash at Akwa Poly, leaving during this period. During 2014, the only the "Niger Delta Subterranean Force," two people dead in March 2014. Consistent incident reported was an assassination of a allegedly threatened to attack an oil and gas with the unrest on student campuses in prominent PDP politician, who was shot in company unless the company agreed to Uyo, violent protests over student unions March. give them contracts to protect the pipeline. were also reported in the Ikot Ekpene A traditional ruler in Esit-Eket was abducted campus of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in late October 2013. in September 2014.

In January 2012, there was reportedly a land In the second half of 2013, there was dispute between two communities, which reported to be a failed rescue operation of led to the death of one person. an abducted politician in October and a clash over land claiming one life in December. Apart from some alleged irregularities reported during the April 2012 PDP primaries, Ikot Epkene LGA had few reported deadly incidents.

Eket Ibesikpo Asutan Ini (Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District) (Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District) (Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Criminality > Domestic and Interpersonal Violence > Political Violence > Cult Clashes > Protest > Protests Issues in Ibesikpo Asuntan mainly related to > Inter-Communal Violence domestic violence, sexual violence, and child The second largest city in the state, Eket’s abuse. In April 2014, a man reportedly Three brothers were reportedly killed by main conflict issues related to localized beheaded two of his cousins with a gunmen in March 2012 after a clash over criminal activity, protest of extractive machete. No violence was reported in the the construction of a dam in their village. operations in the area, and cult violence. In first half of 2015. Three people were also reportedly killed June 2014, a cult clash led to the deaths of during the local government elections in two people, who were found in a gutter with June 2012. In 2014 there was a report of an machete wounds. In July 2014, youths intercommunal clash between the Nkari blocked access to an oil facility in protest of people in Akwa Ibom and the Arochukuni a spill. In October, a retired army officer people in Avia, resulting in displacement of reportedly killed his son with a machete. people and an unknown number of fatalities. In April of 2015, five people were In October 2013, there was a protest against reportedly killed during violence a company operating in the area over the surrounding the elections. alleged non-payment of expected compensation.

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Ibeno Mbo Oron (Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District) (Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District) (Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict > Inter-Communal/Land Violence > Cult Clashes > Protests > Intra-Communal Violence > Piracy > Piracy > Protests In April of 2015, youth in Ibeno protested > Protests > Political Tensions after an oil spill. In March 2014, road > Kidnapping workers staged a protest against the de- Among LGAs in Akwa Ibom, Oron reportedly unionization of their company. In April of 2015, five Exxon Mobile has a relatively high concentration of cult employees were kidnapped by unidentified groups and cultist activities. In January of In April 2013, a violent land dispute between gunmen in an event reportedly related to 2015, tensions between political parties Ibeno community and another in the elections. continued as two cars belonging to APC neighboring Eket LGA led to the deaths of members were lit on fire by hoodlums five people and the destruction of dozens of Mbo LGA has also been affected by piracy suspected to be supporters of the PDP. homes, displacing several families. including reported incidents in February 2012 and August 2013, leading the In the second half of 2014 reports included government to increase its naval presence youth protests over the state government, in the coastal waters. In July and September piracy, and motorcycle bans. In September, 2013, it was reported that there were piracy attacks reportedly accounted for the violent protests over the lack of amenities deaths of at least two naval officers. In and compensation by companies operating December 2014, youths staged a peaceful in the area. protest march in opposition to the selection process for the PDP gubernatorial Mbo LGA was affected by intra- and inter- candidate. communal tensions in 2012-2013. In January 2013, seven reportedly died in a separate In August 2013, there was a gun battle clash over farming land. In March 2013, between the Nigerian Navy and a group of there was a reported clash in Unyenge pirates, killing six suspected pirates. In community. In November 2013, two women October 2012, four people died in a rivalry were killed in a renewed clash among Effiat between the Black Axe and Vikings cult communities. In May 2012, Ebughu and groups. Separately, at least one former Effiat communities clashed, reportedly official was reportedly killed for political killing one. reasons in 2012.

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Uyo (Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors > Cult Clashes > Protests > Political Violence

Between January and April of 2015, election violence continued, resulting in the reported deaths of up to five people. Additionally, in March the wives of airport employees carried out a protest in favor of higher wages, and in June a man killed his aunt over a private matter.

Student protests at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) over management decisions to not allow student unions on campus also led to violent clashes in 2014 . The school was forced to briefly shut down in June after a protest turned violent, destroying school property and killing several students. Also affecting UNIUYO, in May 2014, the residence of the University’s Vice-Chancellor was reportedly attacked by gunmen. Similar clashes also broke out during a student protest on the Uyo campus of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in September 2014, with several people injured. In October, it was reported that a clash between PDP supporters over a list of delegates for the party primaries left one dead while in December there were reports of protests following the announcement of results of the primary elections.

A violent clash among three rival cult groups was also reported in October 2013, killing seven. Additionally, in 2013 there were multiple violent protests, including one in April against a company’s employment policies.

Within and around the capital city of Uyo, there was a series of killings reported in 2012-2013, including that of a former government official in October 2012.

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 15 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Bayelsa State

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

Although on a per capita basis, governor after a period of uncertainty in the abductions, and attacks on energy violence is relatively high in Bayelsa, the wake of Governor Timipre Sylva’s infrastructure. Conflict factors were mainly number of fatalities and incidents have termination in January 2012. Over the last reported around the capital of Yenagoa, but dropped since 2010. In February 2012, four years, incidents of insecurity in Bayelsa also in Nembe and Southern Ijaw. Henry Seriake Dickson (PDP) was elected as have included cult violence, piracy,

Conflict Risk Factors in Bayelsa State* 60 Incidents 50 Fatalities 40

30

20

10

0 Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Bayelsa 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Bayelsa State (by LGA)* Overview of Bayelsa State

With 2 million people, Bayelsa is one of the

smallest states in the country, by population. Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014

Worse Most are of Ijaw descent. Bayelsa produces Jan-Jun 2014 Jul-Dec 2013 between 30-40% of Nigeria’s oil and gas. In Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 addition to the petroleum sector, the state Jan-Jun 2012 has an extensive commercial fishing industry and produces oil palm, raffia palm, rubber,

and coconut.

Better Yenagoa Southern Ijaw Nembe Brass Kolokuma/ Opokuma

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Brass Ekeremor (Bayelsa East Senatorial District) (Bayelsa West Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors returning from a funeral. A community > Attacks on Energy Infrastructure > Protests petition was then reported to have been > Kidnapping > Piracy circulated and sent to the Chief Army Staff > Piracy > Political Violence protesting the killing and requesting an > Political violence > Intra-Communal Violence inquiry into such violence undertaken by > Inter-communal/Land Conflict (Youth vs. Elders) patrols. > Inter-communal violence

With its extensive shoreline, Brass is an LGA In November of 2013, it was reported that a that sometimes experiences attacks on In early 2015, there were multiple cases of group of seven gunmen kidnapped the nearby vessels, many of which are inter and intra-communal tensions. The father of Bayelsa State Commissioner for associated with the oil industry. Data from intra-communal violence related to youths Tourism. Other reported issues during this CSS/ETH Zurich points to over a dozen such disagreeing with community elders over time period included the October 2012 incidents occurring during 2012-2013, some pipeline surveillance jobs. In January, inter- removal of five LGA chairmen for financial of which resulted in kidnappings as well as communal tensions rose when a youth was recklessness shortly after the election of the loss of property and lives. killed in a clash with a rival community. Like Governor Dickson. They denied the charges other states in early 2015, Ekeremor of impropriety and accused Dickson of In 2014 and early 2015, abductions and witnessed a rise in political violence. There targeting certain individuals in order to killings by pirates continued. In March, were reports of threats against the LG marginalize them from politics. These gunmen reportedly abducted a husband Chairman. There were also reports of accusations, and other related claims, and wife. Later, in August, a passenger boat clashes between supporters of two continued throughout 2012-2013 although driver was shot dead by pirates. In two candidates as well as grievances with the overall, political tensions seemed to separate incidents in October, sea pirates PVC distribution process. In February, a local decrease by the end of 2013, before rising allegedly killed four policemen and monarch led protests against the alleged again in 2015. abducted six civilians while gunmen abandonment of a shore protection project; attacked a tugboat and abducted the the community is reportedly threatened by captain. Between January and June 2015 sea erosion. In early 2014, boat drivers there were four reports of pirate attacks. under the Maritime Workers Union protested against pirate activity in the There was a rise in election tensions and region. 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 over money.

In late January and early February 2015, there were also a few incidents of inter- communal land clashes and cult violence.

In June 2012, a JTF/Navy patrol reportedly killed six pirates on a vessel transporting stolen crude. Three naval officers were also killed in the fight which later became a source of tension in the community as the Independent newspaper reported that the suspected pirates were actually indigenes

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Kolokuma/Opokuma Nembe Ogbia (Bayelsa Central Senatorial District) (Bayelsa East Senatorial District) (Bayelsa East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Attacks on energy infrastructure > Attacks on energy infrastructure > Kidnapping > Protests > Piracy > Protests > Domestic violence > Political violence > Political Tension Unidentified gunmen in April 2015 abducted > Kidnapping In the lead-up to the 2015 elections, there the Chairman of Ogbia LGA, and other was an increase in politically-motivated gunmen in June abducted two Lebanese In early 2015, there were many reports of violence reported. In January and February and killed policemen in the process. In July, violence and protests related to the oil 2015, there were multiple reports of rising youths protested to demand the industry. In January and February, there inter-party tensions, the use of political appointment of indigenes into management were protests reported, including one in thugs during campaign rallies, destruction positions in the Federal University. January where youths barricaded an oil of campaign materials, and complaints by facility construction site. Tension was voters that politicians took their PVCs. In early 2014, gunmen invaded the reported regarding the distribution of funds hometown of President Jonathan and to the Amnesty program and regarding In February, there was also a shoot-out abducted the 70-year-old foster father of pipeline surveillance contracts. Tension between police and militants which left five the President. It was not clear whether the related to the election was also elevated dead and a conflict between Christians and kidnapping was politically motivated. during this period. There were general intra- Traditionalists. Gunmen later kidnapped four civilians on a party tensions regarding the selection of a passenger boat as well as three expatriates party candidate, frustrations over alleged Sporadic pirate attacks continued in two separate incidents in October and uneven PVC distribution, destruction of throughout 2014. In several cases, multiple November. In December, members of an oil campaign materials, and tension over the policemen and soldiers were killed. In two union protested in several locations, distribution of compensation for those instances of reported piracy, it was noted preventing all workers from entering oil involved in campaigns. that the attackers also attempted to abduct installations. the victims. In December, sea pirates Incidents reported in Kolokuma/Opokuma attacked and allegedly murdered three In January 2013, gunmen reportedly in 2012 mainly related to the devastation soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task invaded the country home of the Local caused by flooding. In March 2012, it was Force in the Niger Delta. Council Chairman and abducted his parents reported that a “general” from a local militia for ransom. It was reported that they were had attacked an oil flow station in protest of Data from CSS/ETH Zurich and the Council released a week later. the lack of development in the Niger Delta. on Foreign relations reported an April 2013 In mid- to late-2013, violence related to attack by MEND on an oil well which was As in many other LGAs across the region, domestic disputes were the main reported said to have caused a spill and created an flooding in October 2012 reportedly incidents of insecurity although early in the environmental emergency. In the later half submerged communities and led to year problems associated with the flooding of 2013, there was an escalation in reported displacement and some food scarcity still lingered. In October of 2014, attacks by pirates on passenger boats as issues. unidentified gunmen kidnapped the brother well as military police and Navy formations. of the monarch of the of Kolokuma It was reported that as of late 2013, up to Kingdom. Their demands were not known. twenty civilians had been killed by pirate activity or from being caught in the crossfire between police and suspected pirates. This number could not be independently verified although multiple news sources did corroborate the rise in violent deaths and general insecurity surrounding suspected pirate activity and police counter-actions. Incidents reported in Nembe included an alleged attack by MEND on marine policemen in 2012.

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Sagbama Southern Ijaw (Bayelsa West Senatorial District) (Bayelsa Central Senatorial District)

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

> Political violence In 2013, there were reported clashes In early 2015, reported incidents of conflict between members of the Joint Task Force January and February 2015 saw an increase risk factors included political violence, (JTF) and militants in the Azuzuama area, in political violence. There were clashes disease outbreaks, and cult violence. There killing several and displacing local residents. between different party supporters, was one report of a sea pirate attack in The Movement for the Emancipation of the complaints about the process of PVC January. At the end of January and early Niger Delta (MEND) also claimed to have distribution, non-indigenes complaints of February, there were reports of political killed 15 officers in a boat attack. In early disenfranchisement in the election process, hate speech, youths attacking political May 2013, a shooting by suspected and violent disruptions in political rallies. candidates and clashing amongst renegade militants left five ex-militants There were also complaints of a lack of themselves over leadership, and clashes dead. In the second half of 2013, reports of power supply and protests planned over between different political party supporters. police action leading to the deaths of problems with electricity supply. There were a few reports relating to cholera suspected pirates, as well as police deaths, outbreak in the state in February. There were reported in May, July and October, In December 2014, members of an oil union were also many incidents of cult clashes and although the estimated numbers of protested in all eight LGAs of Bayelsa, cult recruitments reported. In June, a young individuals killed varied. Other incidents preventing all workers from entering oil man was killed by gunmen when he reported in 2013 included deaths related to installations. attempted to stop an operation planned by oil bunkering as well as a few instances of kidnappers. attacks on local oil dredgers. In February 2013, an incident of piracy was reported in which gunmen allegedly killed In early 2014, a clash between cult groups at Reported incidents of insecurity in Southern several soldiers who were escorting an oil the Niger Delta University resulted in Ijaw in 2012 included attacks on energy vessel in the creeks. In December, there was several fatalities. Also, in the first half of the infrastructure, politically motivated violence, a report of possible inter-communal tension year, unidentified gunmen ambushed a and cultist attacks on university students. In when two men were killed after a feud with group of twenty police escorting an ex- January 2012, unidentified gunmen herdsmen over cattle blocking a main MEND leader along the creeks of the Niger reportedly attacked the home of an ex- roadway although it appeared to be an Delta. No casualties were reported in the militant leader and killed a policeman and isolated incident. Tension within the Ijaw incident. In August, gunmen abducted the young ex-militant. A fight broke out at a Youth Council was also reported at younger brother to the Speaker of Bayelsa political rally in February 2012, resulting in intermittent times throughout the year. House of Assembly. The abduction came at at least one death. In March and April 2012, a time when the House Speaker was there were reported attacks on oil pipelines, In October 2012, massive flooding hit enduring possible impeachment the first such reports in over a year. In July, Sagbama causing food scarcity and proceedings. In July, a team of policemen gunmen reportedly attacked a boat epidemics, as Nigeria experienced the most repelled an attack on an oil installation and belonging to an oil company, killing at least severe rainy season in decades. That same reportedly killed five pirates in the process. three and injuring others. Throughout 2012 month, the LGA council chairman was The pirates were said to have attacked an oil cultists reportedly killed Niger Delta removed for alleged impropriety. In rig belonging to an foreign drilling company University students in several incidents. November 2012, there was a reported when they opened fire on the policemen on Flooding was a problem in October 2012. incident of intra-communal conflict which duty. Boat drivers under the Maritime resulted in the death of about a dozen Workers Union later protested against people after a traditional ruler was removed perceived increased pirate activity in the by the Sylva administration. region. In October, two murders reported included that of a businessman and the other of a woman who was killed for having

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Yenagoa (Bayelsa Central Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors expectations were not met by the company. reported, some targeting politicians or > Political violence candidates. Ex-militants reportedly attacked > Cult violence Finally, in December, members of an oil cluster oil wells several times throughout > Protests union protested in several locations, the year, claiming that their actions were in > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict preventing all workers from entering oil protest against their exclusion from the > Kidnapping installations. Other incidents during the federal amnesty program. In June, women

year included a clash between two cult reportedly barricaded an oil facility, In the first half of 2015 there were reports groups in which several people were killed. protesting that the company had failed to of protests, cult violence, domestic violence, In September, police allegedly killed two meet community obligations while causing and attacks on ex-militants. In January, vigilantes as they were attempting to lynch a environmental and social degradation. In health workers at the Federal Medical group of suspected armed robbers. In November 2012, hundreds reportedly Centre staged a peaceful protest over the November, pirates carried out several protested over the non-payment of alleged refusal of the federal government to attacks on passenger boats. Separately, expected allowances from the amnesty discuss the demands of their union. In that same month, gunmen reportedly killed program over a six-month period. Also in March, drivers in the Government security two policemen and a civilian. November, hundreds of flood victims outfit protested the non-payment of their reportedly protested against government salaries, and workers shut down a gas In February, 2013 it was reported that up to action to remove them from relief camps. gathering facility in protest of the company’s 200 former militants rioted and destroyed There were multiple reports of police alleged violation of local content law and property when they learned that they would clashes with suspected armed robbers and poor employment policies. In May, women not be included in the third phase of the kidnappers. protested an expired memorandum of amnesty program. In August, Vanguard understanding with an oil company. In the news reported that 12 suspected pirates first half of 2015, cultists reportedly killed by the Nigerian Navy were actually attacked and raped an 18 year old girl and members of a defunct militant group murdered three men. An ex-militant found refusing to turn over arms or join the dynamite planted outside of his home, and amnesty program. November of 2013 was another ex-militant was killed in a clash with characterized by violence reportedly police during a protest. There were also two stemming from continued political tensions reported domestic violence fatalities in surrounding the Ijaw National Congress February and May. Elections in October. Incidents included the

reported targeting and kidnapping of youth In 2014 there were incidents of suspected group members and political allies political violence, protests, cultism, supportive of each candidate. Later in vigilantism, piracy, and general criminality. November, up to five people were Political violence included incidents late in reportedly killed in clashes between two the year when unidentified gunmen shot communities over farmland. and killed the Secretary of Bayelsa State

Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC), In early 2014, unidentified gunmen killed and one in which suspected PDP political the former Chairman of Peremabiri thugs raided the Bayelsa State Secretariat of Community Development Committee (CDC) the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to in his residence in Akenpai. His attackers hijack election materials for the Federal reportedly took nothing from the victim’s House of Representatives primaries in the home, suggesting motives other than state. Protests included one in August, when robbery. youths shut down five oil wells. The protesting youths demanded that the In 2012, there were two bombings company provide them with a generator. A suspected to be linked to political tensions second protest of a similar nature took around the gubernatorial elections. place just days later after other Multiple incidents of cultist violence were

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 20 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Cross River State

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

Benedict Ayade, of the People’s territorial dispute between Nigeria and eventually took full sovereignty of Bakassi in Democratic Party (PDP) won the Cameroon over the oil-rich Bakassi August 2013. gubernatorial election in April 2015, to peninsula. After a controversial UN-backed replace outgoing Governor Liyel Imoke (also ICJ verdict in 2002 and a comprehensive Other issues reported in Cross River include PDP). resolution between the two nations in 2006, periodic outbreaks of inter-communal Abuja began to transfer authority of the violence, cult violence, and piracy. For years, Cross River was the stage to a peninsula to Yaoundé, and Cameroon

Conflict Risk Factors in Cross River State* 90 80 Incidents 70 Fatalities 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Cross River 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Cross River State (by LGA)* Overview of Cross River State

Jan-Jun 2015 The coastal state of Cross River is home to approximately 2.9 million people (2006

Worse Jul-Dec 2014 Jan-Jun 2014 census), predominantly of Efik, Ejagham and Jul-Dec 2013 Bekwarra background. One of the fastest Jan-Jun 2013 growing states in Nigeria, Cross River is Jul-Dec 2012 Jan-Jun 2012 endowed with vast mineral resources, plentiful arable land, and a growing number

of tourist attractions.

Better

Bakassi Calabar M/S Abi Yakurr Ogoja

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Abi Bakassi Calabar Municipal/South

(Cross River Central Senatorial District) (Cross River South Senatorial District) (Cross River South Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict > Cross-Border Conflict Issues > Cult Clashes > Criminality > Piracy > Political Tensions > Criminality > Protests In 2015, there were only two reported > Intra-Communal Conflict (Leadership) incidents of violence. In February, a church In 2015, several were killed when youths > Militancy/Piracy pastor and his aide were killed by unknown attacked a group of ex-militants. > Kidnapping perpetrators, and in May a woman was shot dead by a soldier in a raid on petrol black In December 2014, gunmen reportedly There were several protests by different marketers. attacked a filling station, shooting three. groups in 2015. In January, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools April and May in 2014 saw a spike in In April 2013, five were reportedly killed by protested taxes. Academic staff at the intercommunal violence over land disputes. Cameroonian gendarmes for refusing to University of Calabar staged a protest at the Clashes were reported between the people vacate an area ruled to now be part of office of the Independent National Electoral of Usumutong and Ediba over a piece of Cameroon. In July, it was reported that Commission in April. Also in April, there was land, causing security forces to intervene to police had broken up and arrested a protest by members of the National Youth restore order, with fatalities estimated at 15 members of an arms dealing syndicate. Corps Service to demand their allowances people. Three civilians were killed a month Then, in August, a police officer and a for activities carried out during the later in similar clashes over farmland civilian were allegedly killed in a revenge elections, and in June patients at the boundaries. attack by suspected pirates after having University of Calabar Teaching Hospital been targeted by police operations. protested the high cost of treatment. During this incident over a dozen people were reportedly killed in the course of a In 2012, there was a protest over the There were also many reports of unknown week. A similar clash led to seven deaths in demarcation of the Bakassi peninsula. gunmen attacking or robbing people of the March 2013. Separately, a police inspector community, especially policemen. In June, was also killed by armed robbers in militants launched an attack on the Police September 2013. Marine Base and killed at least two policemen and looted sensitive documents. In 2012-2013, long-standing land Later in the month, the Air force bombed disagreements in Abi sometimes turned waterways outside of Calabar in an attempt violent. In January 2013, a community in to target militants and pirates. Ikwo LGA in neighboring Ebonyi State reportedly clashed with communities in Abi. During 2014, protests were prevalent in the capital with a range of groups advocating for change. In May, 2014 students staged a protest against the abduction of the Chibok school girls. In May and September, groups of taxi drivers and women staged separate protests opposing high LGA and state taxation rates. In November, former public servants in Cross River State local government protested over non-payment of allowances. Further, a traditional ruler was reportedly killed in August of 2014.

Pre-election violence related to both state and federal elections was also evident during 2014. In August, three students from the University of Calabar were killed by

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Odukpani Yakurr (Cross River South Senatorial District) (Cross River Central Senatorial District) security forces after the group began a Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors protest over a local election issue. > Inter-Communal Violence > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict Witnesses reported the killings may have > Political Violence > Political Violence been unintentional. In November an > Criminality explosion was reported at the PDP In November of 2014 three people were Secretariat. reportedly killed in a political clash during a Election-related violence sparked in early PDP ward congress. 2015. In March, there was a two-day clash Cult clashes resulted in a number of between Labor Party (LP) and People’s fatalities in 2014, including four people who In the line graph above, the spike in Democratic Party (PDP) supporters. Four were killed in a shoot-out between two rival fatalities in the first half of 2012 was were left dead and several injured. The cult groups; the Vikings and KK in August. associated with a large-scale inter- clash began with PDP members barricading Crime also continued to cause insecurity in communal land dispute in May of that year. a road to stop an LP rally. In April, one died Calabar South, with gunmen attacking a People from a community in neighboring and two were injured during the petrol station killing six people in late Akwa Ibom state reportedly clashed with a gubernatorial and state house of assembly December and taking off with several community in Odukpani, destroying elections. million Naira. In May of that year, a lecturer churches and killing over forty villagers. was also killed by suspected by suspected In April 2013, eight were reportedly killed in cultists at the University of Calabar. a clash between two communities over a piece of farmland. In June 2013, four people Predominant issues around the capital city in one community were reportedly killed by of Calabar related to crime, domestic the people of another after a suspect was violence, piracy, as well as clashes between apprehended for allegedly stealing. gangs, cults or political groups in 2012 and 2013. In March 2012, four were reportedly killed in a clash between Vikings and KKK members. In June 2012, six were reportedly killed in a similar clash. In August, as many Ogoja as 28 were reportedly kidnapped and later (Cross River North Senatorial District) rescued by the navy. In September 2012, four were reportedly killed in a PDP intra- Key LGA Risk Factors party dispute. Furthermore, as the city is the > Cult Clashes political capital of the state, there were a > Criminality number of protests in 2012-2013, including one by the by employees of the state’s There were issues of crime and vigilante internal revenue service (September 2012), justice in 2013, a deadly clash between students and staff at the Cross River youths and police in October 2013, and a University of Technology and the University violent clash between two rival cult groups of Calabar (September 2012, August 2013, in November 2013. Additionally, the LGA October 2013), and those protesting over was hit by heavy rainstorms in May 2012, the Bakassi issue (October 2012). reportedly killing three and displacing

thousands. In June 2013, two people were reportedly killed in a clash between pirates and police.

Several were injured in an intra-communal leadership tussle within the Efut kingdom.

In October, several were killed in a shootout between militants and security forces and in a separate incident that month, a man was abducted by pirates.

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 23 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Delta State

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

Although the 2009 Amnesty Program violence, criminality, vigilante/mob justice, held for the first time since the chairmen was instrumental in reducing violence and communal violence, and political violence. were dismissed in 2011. In April 2015, fatalities associated with militancy, since There were a number of abductions, some Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic 2012 Delta has been the most violent Niger targeting political figures, their family Party (PDP) won the gubernatorial election Delta state as measured by conflict fatalities members, or oil workers. to replace outgoing Governor Emmanuel per-capita. Conflict risk incidents in Delta Uduaghan (PDP). State during this period included gang On October 25, 2014 local elections were

Conflict Risk Factors in Delta State* 300

250 Incidents Fatalities 200

150

100

50

0 Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun Jul-Dec Jan-Jun 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Delta 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Delta State (by LGA)* Overview of Delta State

Delta is the second most populous state in

Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 the Niger Delta, with an estimated 4.1 million

Worse people. The state produces about 35% of Jan-Jun 2014 Jul-Dec 2013 Nigeria’s crude oil and a considerable Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 amount of its natural gas. It is also rich in Jan-Jun 2012 root and tuber crops, such as potatoes, yams, cassava, and coco yams. Delta has a legacy of ethnic and political tensions which

flared in the late 1990s and again in 2003.

Better

Aniocha N/S Uvwie Warri N/S/SW Ika NE/S Ethiope E/W

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Aniocha North/South Ethiope East/West Ika North/South (Delta North Senatorial District) (Delta Central Senatorial District) (Delta North Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Kidnappings > Kidnapping > Kidnappings > Cult Clashes > Inter-Communal Tension > Robbery > Robbery > Protests Most incidents reported in Ethiope East > Cult Clashes As in other parts of Delta State, much of the involved security forces clashing with > Inter-Communal Tension violence in the reported time period in suspected kidnappers or robbers. In early > Political Tension Aniocha North and South was associated 2015, there were reports of villages and with kidnappings and criminality. A shooting homes destroyed in an inter-communal In the first half of 2015, most fatalities in the first half of 2015 resulted in the clash. In a separate incident, gunmen resulted from cult clashes in January. Other deaths of at least three women. In May, four attacked Eku community, killing two, and incidents included criminality and clashes people were killed in a clash between two abducting several Youth Corps members in between police and robbers. cult groups. In June 2015, a cult leader was April. Also in April, a journalist was shot dead by police. reportedly kidnapped and murdered. Three In the first half of 2014, two cult clashes, people were killed by cultists in June. In late including one reportedly involving a well- In the first half of 2014, dozens were June, the chairman of a vigilante group was known confraternity, led to the deaths of reportedly killed in clashes between rival shot dead by soldiers. several people. The latter half of 2014 cult groups. Other incidents involved included a continuance of occasional cult criminality and violence against women and Separately, one person was reportedly killed clashes and robberies that resulted in girls. In June 2014, about a dozen people in a clash between herdsmen and a local shootings. were reportedly killed when armed robbers community. In November 2014, there was a attacked a bullion van. Since June 2014, clash between supporters of the PDP and Violence increased in 2013 around there have been several instances of armed supporters of the Labour Party during a attempted kidnappings and robberies. In robbers battling police in gun battles. local government re-run election. Also in March, an ACN Vice Chairman was abducted November, an Ijaw leader was kidnapped and reportedly killed despite the ransom Violence around kidnappings and robberies and rescued by the military about a week having been paid. In February, protests increased in 2013, resulting in several later. Separately, a traditional ruler was broke out in the town of Abavo surrounding reported deaths throughout the year. In killed by gunmen in December. plans to relocate an oil flow station. In 2013, there were two reported incidents of October, Road Transport Union strikes and bank robberies leading to the death of In early 2012, there was increased inter- protests left several dead. several suspected criminals. communal tension between farmers and pastoralists after the alleged murder of a In August 2012, nearly 40 lawyers woman on her farm. In the second half of barricaded the magistrates’ courts to 2013, violence escalated between security protest the abduction of a newly appointed forces and a gang of suspected kidnappers judge. In December 2012, the mother of the in which several were reportedly killed. In Minister of Finance was reportedly May 2014, local vigilantes reportedly kidnapped for ransom in Aniocha South. attacked a suspected kidnapper and were about to lynch him when police intervened. In June, the Joint Task Force (JTF) killed a kidnapper during a rescue operation.

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Isoko North/South Ndokwa East/West Oshimili North/South (Delta South Senatorial District) (Delta North Senatorial District) (Delta North Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Kidnappings > Inter-Communal Violence > Inter-Communal Violence > Communal Violence > Kidnapping > Kidnappings > Youth Protest. > Mob Justice In early November 2014, herdsmen > Sexual Violence In January 2014, cultists reportedly killed allegedly killed an 18 year old and > Political Violence several people. A clash between farmers kidnapped two children and three women. and pastoralists reportedly led to two The victims were freed several days later. In 2015 there were several protests deaths. In March 2014, two lawyers were Inter-communal clashes continue in 2014, reported, including political protests of INEC allegedly killed on their way to defend a including one in June which led to the death after the April gubernatorial elections. high profile kidnapping case. During the of an associate professor at Delta State Voters protested outside of the Party’s latter months of 2014, there were a few University. headquarters over perceived reported events of arrest and/or killing of marginalization in the elections. The Delta rapists and kidnappers by the police. In 2013, there were several reported Women Empowerment Initiative protested communal clashes, including one between their allegedly inadequate representation in government and campaign organizations. In 2013, there were several instances of pastoralists and farmers. There were also a Recent graduates protested at a attempted robberies and abductions that number of kidnappings reported in the first construction company demanding resulted in the death of at least two half of 2013. employment. Students protested the police suspects. Also, in July of the same year, five detention of their classmate. Political people were reported killed in a communal According to news reports, a high chief was violence in early 2015 included: the killing of clash and attack on a palace of the Uzere allegedly murdered in 2012 by attackers a man employed by a House of Assembly Kingdom. from a neighboring community. Separately, candidate by political thugs, and an SSS several were reportedly killed in a officer reportedly killed by gunmen in an In June 2012, it was reported that the son of communal clash. incident thought to be connected to the a high-ranking local official was abducted 2015 elections. for ransom. In the first half of 2014, incidents included vigilante and mob violence. In one reported incident, two cow thieves were lynched. In another, a native doctor was lynched because of suspected impropriety. Later in 2014, robberies continued with a few casualties every few months. There were several reports of sexual violence.

In 2013, protests were reported surrounding the allocation of traditional tribal land for use by an oil flow station. Separately, a local chief was reportedly abducted for ransom and later murdered by his kidnappers. Armed robberies and general criminality continued throughout the year. In 2012, there was some reported tension between settler and indigene communities. In one case there was a clash between Hausa traders and Igbo youth in February. In another case, two Fulani herdsmen were reportedly lynched. There were also kidnappings, mob violence, and cult attacks reported throughout the year.

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Udu Ughelli North/South (Delta Central Senatorial District) (Delta Central Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors protests began after herdsmen reportedly > Mob Justice > Inter-Communal Violence killed a farmer. JTF increased patrols in the > Cult Violence > Kidnapping area. Other killings occurred in conjunction > Communal/Land Conflict > Ex-Militant Protest with kidnappings, robberies or clashes > Kidnapping > Political Tensions between suspects and police. In early 2014, > Youth Protest a clash with pastoralists reportedly killed > Political Tensions. Inter-communal tensions, cult violence, and one person. Separately, a vigilante leader political tensions were reported in the first was reportedly killed by gunmen. In January 2015, a clash was reported half of 2015. In January there were between two communities over land. Also in communal tensions over land and the January, political tensions rose after a location of a market. In February, conflict community leader was kidnapped. Other between an Ijaw and an Urhobo community election-related incidents included the led to violence, including two abduction and reported destruction of campaign a fatality. Inter-communal tensions materials. In February cultists reportedly escalated between pastoralists and farmers, attacked a community, injuring at least one and neighboring communities in Ughelli vigilante. In May, thousands of youths North/South. Also in February, there were reportedly protested after a robbery reported tensions between pastoralists and suspect escaped from police custody and farmers. Cult activities and at least one committed a murder. clash between cult groups were reported in the first half of 2015. In May 2015, there were three reports of inter-communal clashes. One of these There were also reports of political tensions reports involved conflict between connected with the 2015 elections. In pastoralists and a community. Another January, community members complained regarded a land dispute, and the last about the process of PVC distribution. In involved a cult group and a community. In February, March, and April, a community March, Polytechnic students violently leader, the Vice Chairman of his community, protested over the increase in fees. and the Ughelli Branch Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association were killed, In February 2014, one person was respectively. reportedly killed in a clash between the Aye and Vikings cult groups. Two months later a In July 2014, over 2000 ex-militants and their vigilante leader was also reportedly shot leaders from Ondo, Edo, and Delta states dead. In 2013, there were multiple reports thronged the streets of Bomadi in protest of violence related to armed robbery and over the exclusion of proposed Toru-ebe police clashes with criminals. There also State by the National Conference. They were continued to be reports of deaths and demanding its adoption by the Confab as mutilations related to cult activity. In early one of the three states that would be 2012, an alleged thief was reportedly created from the South-South. During the lynched by vigilantes. Cult violence was also rest of 2014, there were sporadic cases of reported during the year. rape, robbery, and inter-communal violence which appeared to be connected to cults and land conflict.

Reports of violent clashes between pastoralists and farmers increased in 2013. Several incidents resulted in fatalities and the destruction of property. In one case,

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Uvwie Warri North/South/South West (Delta Central Senatorial District) (Delta South Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors by the ministers of Petroleum and Internal > Intra-Communal Clashes > Ethnic/Communal Tensions Affairs. In April, thousands protested for the > Youth Protests > Mob Justice release of former Delta State Governor > Cult Clashes > Political Tensions James Ibori by the courts in London, where > Political Tensions > Criminality he was being held on corruption charges. A > Piracy clash between suspected pirates and a There were multiple protests, murders, and ship’s security guards reportedly killed kidnappings throughout the three and a half Political tensions ran high in January and several people in May. year period. Ongoing leadership tussles in February 2015. In one political rally, a

Ekpan community resulted in clashes in candidate attempted to give out money, Since June 2014, there have been sporadic 2012, 2013, a youth fatality in 2014, and the which resulted in mayhem and anger. In robberies and acts of violence between local murder of a community trust member in late January, there was tension over the groups and individuals. Notably, in October 2015. uneven distribution of PVCs as well as a prominent chief allegedly sent thugs to allegations of bribery by candidates. disrupt the inspection of a ballot area In early 2015 there were reports of inter- Threatening text messages were also sent during the local government elections, party tensions surrounding the elections as to a candidate. In February, a female leader causing multiple injuries and property to be well as the incident described above where was attacked over the postponement of destroyed. Additionally, groups protested an Ekpan community leader was murdered, elections, and a political argument led to and overran an oil station in December. leading to a youth protest. clashes in which several people were

injured. In April, two were killed and many In 2013, gunmen reportedly killed a lecturer In 2012, youths reportedly attacked a police others were injured in a clash between at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI). In station to protest police action against an ex factions of the PDP and APC during the July, youths armed with rocket propelled -militant commander. In 2014 a clash Governorship and House of Assembly polls. grenades, submachine guns, and explosives between two youth groups reportedly killed Throughout 2014, leading up to the 2015 reportedly invaded several communities two people and a separate cult clash elections, tensions simmered between Ijaw and killed 12 people. Some feared this reportedly killed seven. and Itsekiri communities over the name, incident would lead to increased ethnic timing, and location of a proposed Export tension, considering the legacy of ethnic Processing Zone in Warri South West. In violence during the Warri Crisis of the late April 2015 there was a reported clash 1990s and early 2000s. However, almost between Ijaw and Itsekiri militias in the immediately representatives of the Ijaw and vicinity. Itsekiri communities acted to deescalate the

situation. Other reports in early 2015 had to do with

clashes between cult groups, and one Around the population center of Warri, incident of communal violence between there were a number of incidents of farmers and pastoralists. criminal violence and mob/vigilante

lynchings reported in 2012. Incidents in 2014 included a number of

protests, clashes between police and armed

robbers, piracy, and communal conflict. In

January 2014, an incident of intra-communal conflict was reported to have led to the deaths of several people. In May, a clash between two communities occurred, killing two. Also in May, the president of the Niger Delta Youth Movement was murdered. Protests included two in March—one by a women’s group over power outages, and one by youth protesting alleged misconduct

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 28 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Edo State

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

Edo was one of the Niger Delta’s more home to Benin City, although violence was 2012, Oshiomhole was reelected for a violent states on a per-capita basis with also reported further north, notably in the second term in a landslide victory as a Incidents of violence and associated Esan West, Uhunmwonde, and Etsako member of the Action Congress of Nigeria fatalities increasing over the three and a Central, East and West LGAs. (ACN), which merged with the All half year period. Issues in Edo ranged from Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. Since protests, criminality, abductions and Edo’s State governor, Adams Aliyu then there has been rising political tensions domestic violence to clashes between Oshiomhole, assumed office in November between PDP and APC supporters in the gangs, cults, political groups and 2008 after winning an appeal in the 2007 state, with the next gubernatorial election communities. The vast majority of these elections, which had initially declared his scheduled for 2016. incidents were reported in the Oredo LGA, rival Oserheimen Osunbor governor. In July

Conflict Risk Factors in Edo State* 90 80 Incidents 70 Fatalties 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Edo 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Edo State (by LGA)* Overview of Edo State

Jan-Jun 2015 Landlocked between Ondo, Kogi and Delta

Jul-Dec 2014 States, Edo is home to about 3.2 million

Worse Jan-Jun 2014 people, predominantly of Edo, Bini, Owan, Jul-Dec 2013 Esan, and Afemai background. Edo’s Jan-Jun 2013 economy centers on agriculture, including Jul-Dec 2012 food crops such as yams, cassava, rice or Jan-Jun 2012 maize and cash crops such as rubber, palm oil, cotton, cocoa and timber. The State’s

capital, Benin City, is the center of Nigeria’s

rubber industry. Edo also contains significant

Better deposits of granite, limestone, marble, lignite, crude oil, gold, and kaolin clay.

Oredo Uhunmwonde Etsako C/E/W Esan C/NE/SE/W Akoko Edo

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Akoko Edo Esan North/S. East/Central/West Etsako Central/East/West (Edo North Senatorial District) (Edo Central Senatorial District) (Edo North Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Intra-Communal Violence > Cult Clashes > Political Tensions > Criminality > Political Tensions > Protests > Criminality In 2015, incidents of criminality were In 2015, teachers and academic unions reported, including robbers who raided a In February 2015, after the arrest of a PDP protested twice over issues of church. member for suspected voter fraud, police compensation. In March 2015, three people averted a clash between PDP members who were killed in a political clash between the In January 2014 shots were fired in a dispute were protesting the arrest and APC All Progressive Congress (APC) and the over whether the banned Igarra members who were demanding further Social Democratic Party (SDP). In June, an masquerade festival should be held. Later investigation into the election fraud. A angry mob attempted to lynch two police in the year, gunmen in military uniforms woman’s body was discovered in March of officers following the accidental killing of reportedly killed several people, including 2015—suspected to have been strangled by two civilians. two policemen. Other acts of criminality cultists. In July 2015, members of the were also reported during the year. Associate Staff Union of Universities In 2014, reported issues included a cult protested the abduction of one of their clash in March which reportedly killed Criminality and ritual violence were colleagues. several students, a communal clash over reported in 2013. land in April, and a murder during a family The leader of a well-known gang was dispute in August where a father was killed reportedly killed in March 2014. In June by son. 2014, six kidnappers were reportedly killed in their hideout during a gun battle with the In 2013, there were political protest and policemen. clashes. Around the time of the local government elections, a clash between Conflict risk factors during the 2013 local supporters of opposing political parties led elections included the murder of an active to two fatalities. Also in mid-2013, PDP ACN member in April and subsequent supporters reportedly protested the results protests by voters when the release of of the election, calling for another vote. The election results was delayed in May. In July APC chief in Edo was allegedly kidnapped in 2013, there was a clash between two groups August 2013, but eventually released in in a dispute over the collection of market September 2013 and his kidnappers revenue that reportedly led to the deaths of arrested. two people. A number of other murders were reported during this period, including A series of bank robberies by a large gang of that of an aide to a local government armed gunmen reportedly led to the deaths chairman and a member of the Youth of over a dozen people in Etsako West in Corps. November 2012.

Cult clashes in August 2012 allegedly killed several.

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Oredo (Edo South Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors alleged killing of their peers by local fine street traders. In November, a > Cult Clashes police. university student was allegedly shot > Political Tensions dead on his way home from a football > Protest Conflict Risk Factors in 2014: match by suspected cultists. In a

 Cult Violence: In October, one person separate incident it was reported that Conflict Risk Factors in 2015: was reportedly killed following a violent gunmen killed a cleric in December.  Cult Violence: In April 2015, twelve battle between 2 rival cult groups. A 14- people were reportedly killed in a clash year-old reportedly died at the hands Conflict Risk Factors in 2013: between the Eiye Confraternity and the of cultists in March as did a college  Cult Violence: The Eiye Confraternity Manfight group in a conflict stemming student in a separate incident in also lost some of its members through from recent governorship and state November. Violence between the Eiye an intra-cult clash in November 2013. assembly elections. Between April and and Aye (Black Axe) confraternities  Political Violence: In April, factions of the May, over 43 people were killed in cult- continued in 2014, allegedly killing four PDP and the ACN clashed during the related attacks, including violence in January and ten others in December local government elections. In July between the Eiye Confraternity and the of that year. 2013, the Deputy National Chairman of Black Axe group.  Political Violence: In October 2014, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)  Political Violence: At a January 2015 rally unidentified gunmen attacked an was attacked at his home. in support of Governor Oshiomhole of injured a PDP lawmaker for the  Protests: In March 2013, there was a the PDP, the bureau chief of several lawmaker’s recent defection from the protest against levies and extortion newspapers was assaulted by PDP APC to the PDP. In November 2014, from the Road Transport Employees youths while reporting on the rally. two people were killed in a clash Association of Nigeria. In June 2013,  Protests: In the first half of 2015, there between supporters of the Chairman of there was a protest after the alleged were protests by students of the the Community Development killing of a student by police. University of Benin over the demolition Association (CDA) and chairman of  Other: There were several cases of of parts of the university by the Edo youth association over the abductions reported in Oredo, State government, human rights chairmanship position of the including that of an Israeli expatriate in activists appealing for the evacuation community’s association. The following July 2013 and of three female teachers of Nigerians from South Africa due to month, a PDP senatorial aspirant was in August of the same year. A pastor xenophobic behavior, election workers attacked by unknown gunmen who was also killed in November 2013. protesting non - payment of killed his cousin and a police orderly. compensation, and electricity An APC member and a commercial bus Conflict Risk factors in 2012: customers protesting prolonged driver were also shot dead by gunmen outages at the Benin Electricity  Cult Violence: In January 2012, a cult in a separate incident. Distribution Company. clash between Eiye and Black Axe  Protests: From early to mid-2014, confraternities reportedly killed eight  Other: There were a significant number there were protests over labor issues, over the course of a week, while two of reported murders during the first against the Chibok abductions of nearly similar clashes in June and July 2012 led half of 2015, including the abduction, 300 schoolgirls in the North, over the to the deaths of three and four rape, and murder of women on two absence of access to post-natal care for respectively. separate instances, a middle aged man women in Benin City, and over stabbed to death by his son and lover,  Political Violence: The principal private governance issues within the Niger a security guard who was killed by secretary to Edo State’s governor was Delta Development Commission. armed robbers at a liquor store, and an murdered at his residence in May 2012.  Other: Policemen reportedly shot and 85-year old village leader who was killed robbers and kidnappers in killed by gunmen in a tussle over land. various operations throughout 2014. In May of 2015, the cleric of the One person was reported killed and Foursquare Gospel Church was three others seriously injured following reportedly shot dead in his house by a a clash between two rival gangs in gang of assailants. In July of 2015, October 2014 fighting over the right to university students protested the

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Uhunmwonde (Edo South Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors > Intra-Communal/Land Conflict > Kidnapping

In February 2015, JTF troops reportedly killed a kidnapper in a shootout during a rescue mission. Four months later in June, a hunter was assumed to have been murdered when his body was found in the bush.

In November 2014, two suspected robbers and kidnappers from the LGA were also allegedly killed in Benin City.

Two abduction cases were also reported in August and December 2013, with two policemen reported killed in the first incident and an individual who was being abducted killed in the second incident.

In February 2012, two people were reportedly killed in an intra-communal land dispute that also caused villagers to flee to neighboring communities.

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 32 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Imo State

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

Violence per capita in Imo is among violent of the period with clashes that due to reports of irregularities but later the lowest in the region, as is the number of reportedly killed dozens. confirmed Okorocha’s win. After being fatalities per capita. Incidences of violence elected, Governor Okorocha fired all 27 local largely occurred in the LGAs surrounding Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been the government chairmen and replaced them the capital city of Owerri. During 2012-2013, governor of Imo since May 2011. In 2011, he with a transition committee. In a politically incidents reported included criminality, left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to risky move, Okorocha later switched from abductions and vigilante/mob justice. There run for governor with the All Progressives APGA to APC, but nevertheless emerged were also a number of fatalities associated Grand Alliance (APGA). The Independent victorious in the second round of the 2015 with public unrest and reports of ritual National Electoral Commission (INEC) elections, the first round of which were killings in the state. Early 2014 was the most initially declared the election inconclusive initially declared inconclusive.

Conflict Risk Factors in Imo State* 100 Incidents 80 Fatalities

60

40

20

0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Imo 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Imo State (by LGA)* Overview of Imo State

Imo state has a population of approximately Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 Jan-Jun 2014 3.9 million people, according to the 2006

Worse Jul-Dec 2013 Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 census. The population is predominantly Jan-Jun 2012 Igbo (98%). The capital city of Owerri is the largest in the state. Imo is made up of 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Natural resources include palm oil, mahogany, crude

oil, and natural gas.

Better Owerri Ngor-Okpala Obono Oguta Mbaitoli M/N/W

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Aboh Mbaise Ehime-Mbano Mbaitoli (Imo East Senatorial District) (Imo North Senatorial District) (Imo East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Kidnapping Intra-communal violence > Kidnapping > Protest Political violence > Criminality > Sexual violence Protests > Sexual violence > Murder Issues such as the high rate of youth In the first half of 2015, reports included a Sexual violence, child abuse, abductions, unemployment and political marginalization case of the sexual assault of two secondary and killings were reported in the first half of were cited in an interview with one self- school girls, a student who stabbed her 2014. In the first half of 2015, a woman was described “youth leader” who participated in boyfriend in the course of an argument, and reportedly raped and killed. In a separate the protest. In March 2014, violence a man who was accused of killing his incidents, a man was reportedly strangled surrounding disputed Government nephew (a police officer) in a land dispute. to death in his apartment. Community Council Elections occurred, although no was reported injured or killed. In June 2014, a suspect was reportedly killed In May 2012, a local church leader was by police after an attempted robbery. A reportedly abducted for a ransom of In late 2013, there was a reported incident political candidate was reportedly killed in 500,000 Naira and later killed by his captors, of intra-communal conflict that led to the September 2014. despite the family reporting that the death of at least one person. In November ransom had been paid. In February 2013, of the same year, it was reported that youth In January 2013, the deputy governor’s the murder of a local doctor triggered a took to the street to protest unfulfilled director of protocol was reportedly protest rally by women and youth that political promises in a rally that turned murdered and the body mutilated by lasted for several hours, blocking the main violent, with the death of a police officer as gunmen who later claimed the attack was highway. well as property damage reported. not politically motivated. In August 2013, the leader of an armed robbery gang was reportedly killed by police during an exchange of gunfire while others were arrested in connection with a variety of robberies and other criminal activities that had occurred throughout the year.

In May 2012, it was reported that two men on motorcycles stormed a ceremonial residence and abducted and killed a local monarch. Also in 2012, there were reports that a police station was attacked by gunmen, killing one police officer.

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Ngor-Okpala Oguta Ohaji/Egbema (Imo East Senatorial District) (Imo West Senatorial District) (Imo West Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > General criminality > Kidnapping > Protests > Kidnapping > Political Tension > Inter-communal violence > Protest > Sexual violence > Cult Clashes

Reports in the first half of 2015 included a In January 2014, a woman was reportedly In the first half of 2015, there was a cult suspected ritual killing of a motorized raped and murdered whilst a reported clash clash between members of Deywell and tricycle operator, a woman who was occurred between youths in two Deybam groups that claimed four lives. stabbed to death, and women protesting communities over access to an oil wellhead There was also a revenge mission by cultists the murder of the Labour candidate No one was reported killed in the latter that resulted in the stabbing of a man and following the election. incident. In May of 2015, a man killed his 16- the burning of goods and property. year-old girlfriend in a domestic incident. From 2012-2013, there were three reported In May of 2014, in what appeared to be a cases of murder related to domestic In early 2013, there were reports of weeklong clash between two communities disputes and a robbery. In June 2013, a abductions and killings of hotel managers that started over a disputed market security guard for a lawmaker living in a and businessmen. In a sign of increased barricade, property was destroyed and at residence owned by an international political tension in Imo, thugs reportedly least seven people reportedly lost their financial institution was allegedly shot and attacked the governor’s convoy in June lives. From July through October 2014, killed. In March 2014, a man was killed when 2013. There were also several reported clashes over community oil rights and cult- violence escalated during an election for the deaths towards the end of the year related related violence killed a reported seven Community Government Council. to foiled robbery attempts and clashes people. between police and suspected robbers and kidnappers. In October 2012, flooding caused a spike in food prices and displaced hundreds. In April October 2012 was marked by floods that of 2013, up to 1000 people reportedly Obowo displaced more than 8,000 people, gathered to protest attacks and invasions by destroyed crops and livelihoods and pastoralists on village farmlands. (Imo North Senatorial District) reportedly caused an increase in food prices in the months that followed. Key LGA Risk Factors > Political violence > Kidnapping > Murders

In 2014 and the first half of 2015 several other murders were reported. In March 2013 the former majority leader of the State House of Assembly was reportedly kidnapped and murdered.

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Owerri Municipal/North/West (Imo East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Various protests occurred in the first half of State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, and his family > Kidnapping 2014. In January, people protested in front escaped after their home was petrol > Inter-Communal Violence of the Government House in Owerri after bombed by unknown assailants. (Traders vs. Pastoralists) the chief of their village was reportedly  In June a clash between rival cult gangs > Cult Clash murdered. In February 2014, a women’s reportedly left about a dozen people > Protests group protested during a PDP meeting. dead. In the second half of 2014, an > Political Tensions Other protests that have taken place in the attempted armed robbery in August > Sexual violence first half of 2014 include pensioners reportedly led to the death of four

demanding pensions be paid, transport robbers by police officers. Between January 2012 and June 2015, the workers demanding their salaries, and LGAs around the city of Owerri had the  In September, it was reported that an teachers and women’s groups protesting highest number of reported incidents of aide to the Imo State Speaker was found the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok, insecurity per capita in the state, often dead, following a public session at the Borno State. related to kidnappings, mob justice, and House Assembly. protests. In April 2012, it was reported that  In October, oil workers from a station in In 2013, there was some political indigenes protested a government land Ohaji gathered in Owerri to reportedly controversy as the local government seizure intended for development. A clash protest nearly two years of unpaid chairmen (who had been fired by the of rival cult groups reportedly left several salaries at the Imo State House. governor in 2011) and their supporters people dead in December 2012.  In November, there was an increase in protested peacefully in the streets, claiming violent incidents, including a reported that the democratic process had been Issues during the first months of 2015 attack and reprisal between traders and undermined. Also throughout 2013, there included many reports of protests in Owerri. pastoralists that reportedly left at least were reported clashes between police,  A group of widows were attacked while two dead. individuals and gangs suspected to be protesting the Minister of State for  Also in November, women from the Irete kidnappers. During the year, the number of Education. community gathered to protest a rise in student protests also increased. In early sexual assaults in their community while  In February, April, and June, there were 2013 youth staged several protests at the end of the month, a businessman protests by labor contractors, lawmakers, including one in January where an from Lagos was reported killed by and staff members of Imo Broadcasting estimated 2,000 youths took to the streets gunmen assumed to be robbers. Corporation respectively over issues of to protest violence in Owerri.

compensation. Also, in October, thousands of women

 There were also several political protests reportedly took part in a peaceful

in the lead-up to elections and after. APC- demonstration protesting the alleged

affiliated women barricaded the entrance intimidation and harassment of state to the State Secretariat of Imo State government officials by federal anti- Council of Traditional Rulers to block the corruption agencies. Specifically, according way of President Jonathan, PDP to local newspapers, the women alleged supporters protested the alleged voting that the Economic and Financial Crimes irregularities after the election, APC Commission (EFCC) and the Independent supporters blocked roads in protest of Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) had delayed election results, protesters from been unfairly targeting the administration of the Women Wing of the Obiangwu Governor Rochas Okorocha. Development Union protested the murder of the Labor Party candidate for Other reported issues included: the House of Assembly, and a youth  In January 2015, a serving commissioner volunteer group protested their alleged in the Imo State House of Assembly non- inclusion in the Federal Commission was reportedly killed amidst Government’s Amnesty Program. a climate of rising political tension.  In June, the leader of the Black Axe gang  In May 2014, former governor of Imo was killed in a shoot-out with the police.

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 36 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Ondo State

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

While violence in Ondo has historically LGA) that killed dozens. Other issues, concerns about alleged election been relatively low, in the first half of 2015 reported in Ondo included political tensions irregularities and intimidation. In 2014, reported fatalities increased significantly as and cult violence. Mimiko left the LP to join the People’s compared to previous years. This was Democratic Party (PDP). The next mainly in connection to a few incidents of After the 2012 gubernatorial election, in gubernatorial elections are scheduled for criminality (bank robberies in Owo and which Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party 2016. Akoko North West LGAs) and piracy (Ilaje (LP) was re-elected, the losing parties raised

Conflict Risk Factors in Ondo State* 90 80 Incidents 70 Fatalities 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Ondo 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Ondo State (by LGA)* Overview of Ondo State

Ondo state has a population of approxi-

Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 mately 3.44 million according to the most

Worse Jan-Jun 2014 Jul-Dec 2013 recent census (2006). The majority are of Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 Yoruba descent, with a sizable minority of Jan-Jun 2012 those from Ijaw subgroups, particularly along the coast. Ondo derives most of its revenue from the production of cocoa, palm oil, rubber, lumber, and cassava. Approximately 65% of the labor force is employed in the agrarian sector. The state is also rich in oil

Better and minerals.

Akure N/S Idanre Ondo E/W Ese-Odo Okitipupa

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Akure North/South Idanre (Ondo Central Senatorial District) (Ondo Central Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors response to the alleged rape of three > Political Violence > Political Tensions female students. The other demonstration > Kidnapping > Criminality was in protest of a lecturers’ strike. > Protests

In January of 2015, policemen killed four Between March and May of 2012, eight In January and February of 2015, several armed robbers who were reported to have prominent people were reportedly were killed on their farms. Protests in the killed policemen in the previous year. In kidnapped for ransom in Akure, including first half of the year—some of which were April of 2015, “political thugs” were reported family members of politicians and political and others protesting fuel to have forcefully taken over polling booths government officials, a journalist, and a shortages, were generally nonviolent. In during elections. businessman. 2012 violence sometimes had April of 2015, political tensions were a political dimension in the context of a elevated surrounding the State Assembly Violence reported in 2013 and 2014 mainly hotly contested gubernatorial election in elections. “Political thugs” reportedly related to interpersonal conflict issues and October. Both the Action Congress of opened fire and stole ballot boxes. After the criminality. Nigeria (ACN) and the PDP filed appeals election, youths protested the Deputy contesting the outcome, however the Governor’s defection in March from PDP to In October 2012, in the context of a hotly Supreme Court ruled that the election was APC. The ex-Vice Chancellor of the Federal contested gubernatorial election, there was valid. Gang violence in Akure increased University of Technology Akure was a report of political intimidation by “thugs” around the time of the election and murdered after a week-long abduction. who chased away voters. continued throughout 2013. The Ade Basket Other incidents related to sexual violence Boys were reportedly among the more and criminality. active gangs in Akure and are believed to

have been involved in riots leading up to the In 2014, crimes with suspected political election as well as various criminal activities motives also occurred, including an including armed robbery. attempted assassination of an Ondo lawmaker, and the shooting of one person at an Ondo APC meeting in January. Other reported issues included several murders, and a peaceful protest by nurses over an alleged assault. In July 2014, a student was allegedly tortured and put into police custody for stealing a handset. He later died from his injuries. Four policemen were shot and killed in two separate incidents involving armed robbers.

In June 2013, gang members freed an estimated 175 prisoners and fatally shot two civilians in a prison break. That same week, Nigerian Immigration Services arrested and deported 147 allegedly illegal immigrants from Niger and Chad. State

Comptroller Mr. Sola Sessi stated that the presence of those immigrants in Ondo presented a threat to state security and said similar operations would continue. In the second half of 2013, students at the Federal University of Technology Akure staged at least two protests. One protest was in

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Odigbo Okitipupa Ondo East/West (Ondo South Senatorial District) (Ondo South Senatorial District) (Ondo Central Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Political Tensions > Political Tensions > Cult Violence > Criminality/Domestic Violence > Domestic and Interpersonal Violence > Criminality/Domestic Violence

In the first half of 2015, a 40-year-old man In April of 2015, political violence was In the first two months of 2015, in addition was found to have been abused and reported involving “political thugs” during to the murder of a commercial motorcyclist, murdered, and in April, voters were the State Assembly elections. one man was shot in a clash between rival intimidated and harassed by political thugs, cult groups. who also stormed the house of a prominent From 2012-2014, incidents mainly had to do local politician during the State Assembly with interpersonal, criminal, and domestic Two peaceful protests occurred in 2014, one elections. violence. Although there was one incident by electrical workers over reported non- in October 2014, when several people were payment of salaries and another by the From 2012-2014, incidents mainly had to do shot by security forces for not complying Nigerian Union of Teachers over the Boko with interpersonal, criminal, and domestic during the monthly environmental Haram insurgency in the North. In May, a conflict issues. Although in 2012 there was sanitation exercise and resisting arrest. woman suspected of trying to kidnap a child a murder of the owner of a cocoa farm, in was lynched by a mob. A member of the an incident suspected to be related to land National Union of Road Transport Workers competition. was killed in July. At least two cult clashes resulting in fatalities were reported during the year.

In 2013 the son of a union leader was reportedly killed. No motive was immediately established for the killing.

Other LGAs

Key LGA Risk Factors > Political Tensions > Cult Violence > Piracy > Intra-Communal Violence

In the first half of 2015, over a dozen were reportedly killed in a bank robbery in Akoko North West and in Owo LGA. In the April, State Assembly election, political violence was reported in Ese-Odo, Ifedore, and Ilaje LGAs, including shootings, stealing ballot boxes, and attacks on prominent politicians. Cult killings took place in Ese-Odo, as well as the killing of over a dozen suspected pirates in a clash with soldiers in March in Ilaje. In June of 2015, six people were murdered in a clash between two prominent families over the abduction of an errand boy in Ese-Odo.

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 39 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Rivers State

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

Of all the states in the country, Rivers 2013. Despite the zoning formula, which Niger Delta (MEND) apparently made a had the most violent gubernatorial elections would have given the PDP gubernatorial statement endorsing the APC candidate in in April 2015. Since May 2013, political candidacy to an aspirant from Rivers South- the presidential election after claiming tensions were high in Rivers State after the East, Nyesom Wike (Rivers East) won the dissatisfaction with the then-president and disputed Nigerian Governor’s Forum PDP primaries, upsetting the rotation and the PDP. In the run-up to the 2015 elections, election. Formerly a member of the PDP, raising ethnic sentiments across the state, cult groups and ex-militants lined up behind Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is from including the Ogoni axis. In a surprise the two major parties and exerted influence Ikwerre (Rivers East Senatorial District), move, the powerful former militant group, through intimidation and violence. switched affiliation to the APC in November Movement for the Emancipation of the Ultimately, Wike (PDP) won the election to

Conflict Risk Factors in Rivers State*

140 Incidents 120 Fatalities 100

80

60

40

20

0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Heat Map (screenshot) of Conflict Risk in Rivers 2012-2015

Reported Insecurity Per Capita in Rivers State (by LGA)* Overview of Rivers State

Among the largest of the oil-producing Jan-Jun 2015 Jul-Dec 2014 Jan-Jun 2014 Worse Nigerian states, Rivers had been at the heart Jul-Dec 2013 Jan-Jun 2013 Jul-Dec 2012 of the Niger Delta militancy until 2009. Now Jan-Jun 2012 the state remains beset with a different array of political, communal, and criminal issues, including cult and gang-related violence, protests, and kidnappings. Rivers was a pivotal state in the 2015 general elections and experienced elevated levels of election-

Better related tension and violence throughout Pt Harcourt Ikwerre Eleme Ogba/Egb./Ndoni Emohua 2014.

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Ahoada East/West Andoni (Rivers West Senatorial District) (Rivers South-East Senatorial District) succeed Amaechi (APC) as governor. The Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors PDP boycotted the local elections which > Political Violence > Cult Clashes were held immediately before the handoff > Protests > Piracy of the governorship to the new PDP > Kidnapping > Political Violence governor. One of Wike’s first actions was to challenge the validity of the local elections In the first half of 2015, nonviolent protests In January of 2015, a local APC party office in court and the court has since given a were carried out by groups over the was destroyed by dynamite, but luckily no decision to annul the said election. reported non-payment of allowances as well one was believed to be harmed by the as the non-payment of expected explosion. Additionally, there were reports compensation claims by private companies of domestic abuse in the first half of 2015. to communities in the Niger Delta that were impacted by a 1998 oil spill. Political In July 2014, it was reported that at least violence in April of 2015 resulted in the four people had been killed in a raid on a death of three APC members, and the community by an armed gang. In June 2013 abduction of the chairman of Ahoada East eight people were reportedly killed in a cult LGA—also a member of the APC. supremacy clash between the Icelanders and the Greenlanders during a funeral. In In July 2014, it was reported that three October of that year, it was reported that people were shot dead by a gunmen, three soldiers involved in a covert JTF although the cause of the attack was not operation were killed in a battle with sea indicated. During the first half of 2012, pirates. there was an attempted jailbreak that reportedly led to multiple casualties. Other clashes between police and crimiDuring the first half of 2012, there was an attempted jailbreak that reportedly led to multiple casualties. Other clashes between police and criminals occurred in both 2012 and 2013 and led to several deaths. Additionally, as Nigeria experienced the most damaging rainy season in decades, flooding in the second half of 2012 exacerbated pressure on the state’s resources. At least 12 people were reported to have lost their lives, and property and crops were destroyed in the flood. According to media reports, incidents of water-borne diseases and food scarcity also increased during this time.

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Asari-Toru Eleme Emohua (Rivers West Senatorial District) (Rivers South-East Senatorial District) (Rivers East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Kidnapping > Cult Violence > Kidnapping > Cult Clashes > Kidnapping > Cult Violence > Political Violence > Inter-Communal Violence > Political Violence > Piracy > Political Violence > Sexual Violence On election day in 2015, it was alleged that In 2015, the majority of reported violence > Protests election materials were stolen. In a separate was surrounding elections and political incident on the same day, two members of affiliations, including the destruction of In the first half of 2015, most of the violence the APC were confirmed to have been killed campaign materials, violent political rallies, was in connection to the April elections. In during the elections. In May, a security the employment of cultists as informal the lead-up to and just after the elections, at guard was murdered and mutilated by security for candidates, and heavy shootings least five APC members were killed by suspected ritualists while on duty for the preceding the elections. Other reported gunmen suspected to be of PDP affiliation. local government secretariat. conflict in 2015 included sea pirates In one notable case, a soldier affiliated with attacking women, oil bunkering, and cultists the PDP killed an APC member. On election In March and April 2014, cult violence, complaining that they had not been paid day, youths hijacked election materials in including clashes between the Islanders and their Amnesty stipend. Alesa, including ballot boxes. There were the Icelanders reportedly killed several also two attacks on women and girls; a five- people. In November, in a suspected In November 2014, at least two were year-old girl was raped by her 20-year-old reprisal attack on a local community, two reported killed in a cult-related clash over male neighbor, and a female presenter on people were reportedly killed by a cult supremacy rights. In September 2013, a Rhythm FM died after beings shot by group. clash reportedly broke out at a funeral unidentified gunmen. between two rival groups, known as White A local monarch was reportedly kidnapped Chelsea and Kegema Unity Forum, that left In 2012 and 2014, multiple kidnappings for ransom in April 2013, resulting in the three dead although the reason for the fight were reported, including that of a priest and deaths of at least two bystanders who were was unclear. a businessman. In November, a communal shot by the kidnappers. The clash between clash between Okrika and Onne youths over Dewell and Degbam cult groups in There were several reports of abductions in land reportedly led to two deaths. bordering Ikwerre LGA also reportedly Asari-Toru in 2013, beginning in August with impacted Emohua. Tension between the kidnapping of four expatriates. In 2013, cult violence was blamed for political groups escalated in December, Reportedly on their way to work on a violence and deaths, most notably in May 2013, with a clash between PDP and APC government-owned fish farm, four Thai when two people were reported killed in a supporters. nationals and two Nigerians were forced clash between two rival groups. Several into a car and driven away at gunpoint. robberies during the year also resulted in While the two Nigerians were released deaths, with a reported three people being immediately, a stand-off between local killed after an attempted break-in on a police and the kidnappers ensued for a residential building. week, with the expats eventually released. In March 2012, a solider apparently shot and killed a boy after he reportedly threw a bottle in the direction of the soldier's car, resulting in a protest by community youth over the death.

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Etche Gokana Ikwerre (Rivers East Senatorial District) (Rivers South-East Senatorial District) (Rivers East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors > Intra-Communal Violence > Cult Clashes > Cult Violence > Cult Clashes > Attacks on Energy Infrastructure > Political Violence > Political Violence > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict > Political Violence In April of 2015, three people were killed In February 2015, the High Courts of Isiokpo due to political violence during the In 2015, political violence increased, with and Degema were bombed by a group who gubernatorial and State House of Assembly reports of destruction of election materials has yet to claim responsibility. In the lead- elections. by opposing parties, as well as intra-party up to the April elections, there were a few conflict over the timing and location of reports of political violence, including the In February 2014, it was reported that an political rallies and the stockpiling of deaths of at least three people in home APC chairman was assassinated although weapons by political thugs. In May of 2015, invasions and while voting. The Rivers State no further details were given. In May, cultist six people were allegedly killed in a governor was also threatened by youths in violence reportedly killed at least ten in a disagreement between members of the April. local community in the crossfire of a rivaling Deeken and Deeyor communities. cult war. In August, a militia attack in four In early 2014, police reportedly arrested 320 LGAs, including Etche, reportedly killed In April 2014, a violent land dispute erupted people suspected to be affiliated with Boko several, including a solider and Air Force between two communities, causing Haram. In September, nine people were officer. In October, a fight between two property damage although no deaths were reported killed in a turf battle among armed youth gangs reportedly led to the reported. In September, at least one youth members of the Islanders, Dewell and deaths of at least three. was reported killed after being ambushed Degbam cult groups. At the end of in the continuation of an apparent dispute November, nine people, including PDP and In 2013, a long-standing conflict over the between two rival youth groups. APC supporters, were shot dead by gunmen allocation of oil profits from disputed land suspected to be cultists. Reported among erupted between two families. In 2013, the main reports of insecurity came the victims was a chieftain of APC. from gang and cult violence, often over In mid-2012, it was reported that nine disputed territory and reprisal killings. In In 2013, there were reports of tension policemen were arrested for the death of a June, the bombing of a pipeline reportedly between pastoralists and farmers and at community pastor while he was in custody. led to large fires and the loss of up to 6,000 least one clash between the two cult gangs, barrels of oil. Dewell and Degbam.

Two incidents in Gokana that were reported during 2012 included a case of suspected child abuse by a village chief and the shooting death of a former militant by an assassin posing as a member of the JTF.

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Khana Obio/Akpor (Rivers South-East Senatorial District) (Rivers East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors violence from protestors demanding his > Inter-Communal/Land Conflict > Mob Justice reinstatement, police occupied the Obio/ > Cult Violence > Cult Violence Akpor secretariat. Other 2013 incidents in > Youth protests > Political Violence Obio/Akpor include reports of criminality, > Political Violence > Vigilantism cult violence, domestic violence and child > Protests abuse. In the first half of 2015, APC members were attacked by armed youths believed to be In the first half of 2015, violence in Obio/ Four students from UNIPORT University PDP thugs. One person died in this attack. In Akpor included reports of election and were lynched by a mob on October 5, 2012. a separate incident, gunmen shot and killed political violence, sexual violence, domestic The reasons for the lynching are still an Ogoni student unionist in Bori. abuse, and inter-communal conflict. A unclear, but the victims were accused of vigilante group shot a suspected criminal in having stolen electronics. After a YouTube In January 2014, political tensions spiked February, and in April, a reported and video of the lynching was released, violent when suspected militants opened fire on a photographer were beaten by angry youth. protests broke out. Thirteen people were pro-Amaechi rally. Communal tensions Also in April, two young men were killed in a arrested over the killings. Separately, in between rival cult groups also left four dead violent clash over a land dispute. Through December, at least five people were killed during a clash that reportedly lasted a week the first half of the year, there were reports when members of a cult group purportedly in May 2014. In August, it was reported that of abductions and domestic abuse. In March went on a house-to-house rampage, at least three people were killed when two of 2015, the leader of the APC was shooting civilians while looking for rival cult groups clashed. In October, reportedly shot dead by political thugs while unspecified individuals. polytechnic students clashed with security supporting the party’s candidate for personnel and destroyed and looted governorship, and in April, there were property after an alleged assault on one of multiple instances of the destruction and their peers. snatching of sensitive electoral materials. There were multiple reports of sexual In 2013, police arrests connected with cult violence in the first half of 2015. violence predominated in the beginning of the year while a land seizure related to the At a pro-Amaechi rally in January 2014, development of a plantation sparked suspected police officers shot a senator of tensions in late May. Rivers South-East constituency with rubber bullets during a political rally. Police denied Land competition reportedly turned violent their involvement in the incident. Protests in 2012 when two communities in erupted from the senator’s supporters Ogoniland disagreed over whether and how immediately following the incident. a parcel of land should be developed by the Temporarily disrupting traffic, community state government as a banana plantation. youths staged a protest in February 2014, over claims that an oil company had seized a portion of their farmland. Other 2014 incidents included the shooting deaths of three school children, four policemen, a regional bank manager, and a driver by unknown gunmen and armed robbers.

In 2013 a political protest occurred when the local government chairman, who is considered to be an opponent of Governor Amaechi, was suspended by the Rivers State House of Assembly for the mismanagement of public funds. In response to ensuing

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Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Port Harcourt (Rivers West Senatorial District) (Rivers East Senatorial District)

Key LGA Risk Factors Key LGA Risk Factors fraudulent council primaries. PDP boycotted > Kidnapping > Political Violence the local elections. Then when Wike > Cult Violence > Sexual Violence assumed office, he contested the validity of > Political Violence > Cult Violence the election of the LGA Chairmen in court > Protests and won a judgment in his favor. In 2015, the majority of the violence reported in the LGA related to conflict In the first half of 2015, there were dozens Political tensions continued into 2014 with between the PDP and APC political parties. of reports of sexual assault in Port Harcourt, protests for and against the candidacy of After the killing of seven APC chieftains in a few of which resulted in the deaths of Justice Daisy Okocha as Rivers State’s March, the Rivers State Governor accused young girls. There were reports of attacks by administrative Chief Judge. Citing insecurity, the police of taking sides with the PDP. Also gunmen; in March alone, there were reports judicial workers went on strike, leading to a in March, two men were shot dead as a of gunmen attacking and killing at least 14 backlog in cases. In May 2014, a man was group of youth snatched ballot boxes. In people and injuring many more. In this reportedly kidnapped and killed by his four May of 2015, 26 cultists were reportedly period, protests were staged by different abductors after collecting a ransom from his shot dead by police after being found in groups for various purposes. In February, family. In August, business and commercial their forest hideout—this cult group was doctors protested the murder of their activities were halted following clashes supposedly responsible for several recent colleague who was kidnapped for ransom between APC and PDP supporters ahead of killings in Rivers State. In March, a and pensioners protested the non-payment the planned visit of Governor Amaechi to prominent chief in Egbada community was of their monthly allowances. In March, Obio/Akpor LGA. In late November, it was killed by unknown gunmen. student candidates wishing to write their reported that nearly a thousand Ogoni exams protested delays, members of the youth protested the APC’s decision to In July and October 2014, cult-related Nigerian Union of Journalists protested nominate a candidate for governor who was violence and attacks purportedly killed at political violence and attacks on journalists, not their preferred choice, while earlier in least 30 people. and youths protested the alleged diversion the month, arsons set fire to the PDP of jobs by the government. Later, there headquarters. In May 2013, unknown gunman reportedly were protests by students for cleaner tortured and killed an aide to the former drinking water, by civil servants over the In the first half of 2013, there was increased PDP chairman Chief Godspower Ake. non-payment of their salaries, and by political tension between supporters and youths protesting the potential dissolution detractors of Governor Amaechi, including a In October 2012, severe floods caused the of the elected council executive. protest where police fired tear gas on a displacement of entire communities leading reported crowd of 1,000 trying to storm the to inflation, starvation and serious Most notably, there were multiple reports of State House Assembly building. Separately, difficulties with resettlement. violence surrounding the April elections. later in the year two soldiers and two Political tensions rose in January with two civilians were reported killed by fleeing PDP members killed by political opponents gunmen associated with the Movement for and unknown gunmen storming and the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) bombing the site of a planned APC rally. while cult violence flared in December, Cultists and political thugs were hired by resulting in the deaths of at least two police parties for security purposes and to officers and several civilians during a bus intimidate opponents. In March, an APC- robbery. PDP protest turned violent, and in a

separate incident three were confirmed In the first half of 2012, large protests broke dead in a clash between those same parties. out over the government’s removal of a fuel On election day, political thugs reportedly subsidy program. Later in the year, there beheaded a man and protesters delayed the were smaller protests reported over the distribution of materials, causing the ballots delivery of public services. to open hours later than expected. In early May, APC supporters stormed the party’s state headquarters in protest of allegedly

www.fundf o r p ea c e . o r g 45 THE FUND FOR PEACE THE FUND FOR PEACE Our Partners

About the Initiative

The Fund For Peace and the Partners in Nigeria, the Foundation for Partnership for Peace Network are supported by the Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND). Niger Delta Partnership Initiative (NDPI) Foundation and its sister organization based

About NDPI & PIND

NDPI’s and PIND’s shared vision is Niger Delta. Despite the fact that the oil-rich sustainable peace and economic region is the source of 80 percent of development among communities Nigeria's revenues, nearly half of the throughout Nigeria’s Niger Delta. They seek region's population live in poverty and beset to establish innovative multi-stakeholder by armed conflict, making the Niger Delta partnerships that support programs which one of the world's leading development The P4P logo symbolizes the Niger Delta empower communities to achieve a challenges. By convening local communities riverine communities. peaceful environment for equitable and international donors, NDPI and PIND economic growth in the Niger Delta. identify and amplify solutions that reflect a shared vision of how to increase prosperity More than 30 million Nigerians representing and security in the region. over 40 different ethnic groups live in the

Partnership

At the heart of NDPI’s and PIND’s work is a PIND is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria NDPI provides operating and individual commitment to meaningful partnerships with offices in Warri and Port Harcourt. It is project grants to PIND, while PIND supports and the understanding that successful, in the field and focused on operational and guides day-to-day project decision- sustainable economic development is not planning, project implementation and making and monitoring of project possible in the Niger Delta without partners. coordination with development partners. performance. It requires the engagement and shared vision of corporations, local communities, NDPI is based in Washington, DC and Program Areas government, nonprofit and donor focuses on strategic planning, project organizations. They approach partnership funding, partnership development, and In addition to peace building, NDPI and with an emphasis on the co-discovery of raising the international development PIND programs include economic development solutions and the capabilities community’s interest in and support for development, capacity building and analysis each organization can bring to produce poverty alleviation and peace in the Niger and advocacy. better development outcomes. Delta.

For more information, visit www.NDPIFoundation.org and www.PINDFoundation.org.

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