This week’s update spotlights organized criminality in the Niger Delta, with a focus on criminal insurgency and targeted violence in Imo State. Criminal insurgency, including targeted attacks by separatist militias and criminal gangs against government security forces and civilians, continues to drive insecurity across the state, with over 400 fatalities recorded between January 2021 and September 2024 (see map above). Recent data indicates a resurgence of criminal insurgency in the State. For instance, in August 2024, gunmen suspected to be separatist militias reportedly killed seven people, including six village heads, during a meeting in Umucheke Okwe community, Onuimo LGA. In September, separatist militias allegedly attacked a divisional police headquarters in Njaba LGA, resulting in three deaths. In October, a clash between soldiers and gunmen in Ehime Mbano LGA reportedly left several people dead. Most recently, on November 5, 2024, gunmen reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at Orlu International Market in Orlu LGA, killing two and injuring several others.
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