This special edition of the weekly update spotlights the growing trend of vigilante violence and killings in the Niger Delta. There has been a proliferation of vigilantes at the local, state and regional levels as a result of rising criminality and insecurity, perceived policing vacuum, and public distrust in the judicial and penal system in Nigeria. Violence and extrajudicial killing by vigilantes is increasingly becoming prevalent in the Niger Delta. According to data (see map above), vigilante violence caused over 350 fatalities in the region between January 2021 and March 2023. In February 2023, for instance, a 47-year-old taxi driver was reportedly killed by a vigilante at 2nd Junction in Oredo LGA, Edo State. In March, a 27-year-old man was reportedly killed by a vigilante over a missing phone in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. In April, a 36-year-old commercial motorcyclist was allegedly killed by a vigilante at Alagbaka in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Recently, on May 03, 2023, a 23-year-old man was reportedly killed during a clash between members of two rival vigilante groups at Eku community in Ethiope East LGA, Delta State.
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