This edition of the weekly update highlights violent criminality in the Niger Delta with a focus on the growing threat of gun violence in Akwa Ibom State. According to data (see map below), more than 130 gun related fatalities were reported in Akwa Ibom State between January 2018 and December 2021. Recent incidents indicate an upsurge of gun related violence, including targeted killing of chieftains of major political par-ties and other residents in the State. In January 2022, for instance, gunmen suspected to be assassins reportedly killed a chieftain of a major political party in Ikot Udoma community, Eket LGA. Separately, in January, gunmen suspected to be militants reportedly ambushed a vehicle conveying staff members of an oil company, killed an oil worker, and injured two others in Unyenge community, Mbo LGA. In February, gun-men reportedly killed a chieftain of another major political party in Uyo, the state capital. Recently, on February 23, 2022, gunmen reportedly attacked a fishing settlement, chop off the hand of a fisherman, and carted away seven speed boat engines in Ini-Ikwe community, Onna LGA.
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