Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update: February 18-24, 2024

This weekly update spotlights organized criminality in the Niger Delta with a focus on targeted killing and kidnapping in Imo State. Organized criminal violence including targeted killing of government security personnel and abduction of community leaders is a major driver of conflict and insecurity in the State. According to data (see map above), organized crime caused over 700 fatalities in Imo State between January 2021 and December 2023. Recent data shows the growing prevalence of targeted killing and kidnapping in the State. In January 2024, for instance, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers reportedly abducted a community leader from his residence at Odumara Orodo community in Mbaitoli LGA. Separately, gunmen reportedly killed four persons including two police officers at a security checkpoint at Ohii Junction in Owerri West LGA. More recently, on February 12, 2024, gunmen allegedly attacked a correctional farm settlement, killed a police officer and released seven inmates in Umualomoke community, Okigwe LGA. The officer in charge of the correctional arm settlement was also reportedly abducted.