This edition of the weekly update spotlights vigilante and mob violence in the Niger Delta with a focus on vigilante related violence and killings in River State. According to data (see map below), vigilante related violence caused over 80 fatalities in Rivers State between January 2018 and March 2022. Recent data shows an upsurge in vigilante related violence and killings, including clashes between local vigilantes and government security operatives as well as infighting between members of local vigilante groups. In January 2022, for instance, an officer of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) was reportedly killed by a suspected member of a local vigilante group in Omuanwa community, Ikwerre LGA. In March, a suspected local vigilante reportedly killed a soldier at his residence in Obelle community, Emohua LGA. In April, four residents were reportedly killed during armed clashes between two rival factions of a local vigilante group in Ibaa community, Emohua LGA. More recently, on May 09, 2022, suspected members of a local vigilante group reportedly set ablaze the house of a community leader in Obelle community, Emohua LGA.
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