This special edition of the weekly update spotlights organized criminality in the Niger Delta with a focus on criminal and political violence in Bayelsa State. According to data (see map above), political and criminal violence caused over 150 fatalities in Bayelsa State between January 2021 and June 2023. In the lead-up to the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 2023, the political situation in the State is already charged with several reported incidents of political and criminal violence. In June 2023, for instance, gunmen reportedly attacked a divisional police headquarters in Ogbia town, Ogbia LGA. In August, some armed men were allegedly arrested by soldiers at a security checkpoint in Otakeme community, Ogbia LGA. Separately, supporters of two major political parties reportedly clashed over political mobilization in Opu-Nembe (Nembe Basambiri) community, Nembe LGA. More recently, on August 13, 2023, a resident was allegedly killed and several others injured during an operation by government security forces to mop up illegal arms in Opu-Nembe (Nembe Basambiri) community, Nembe LGA.
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