Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update: January 14-20, 2024

This weekly update spotlights organized criminality in the Niger Delta with a focus on criminal violence and targeted killings in Rivers State. Organized criminal violence including kidnap for ransom and killings by cult gangs has been a major cause of conflict and insecurity in Rivers State. According to data (see map above), criminal violence caused over 250 fatalities in the State between January 2022 and December 2023. Recent incidents indicate a surge in criminal violence in the State. In December 2023, for instance, gunmen allegedly killed four soldiers and two civilians, and abducted two South Korean expatriates along the East-West Road in Ahoada East LGA. In January 2024, suspected members of a cult gang reportedly killed two residents and injured six others in Ikem community, Etche LGA. Separately, an armed robber who doubles as the leader of a cult gang was allegedly killed in a gun battle with the police in Oderereke community, Ahoada West LGA. Recently, on January 13, 2024, gunmen reportedly killed the chairman of a Community Development Committee (CDC) in Rumueme community, Port Harcourt LGA.