Niger Delta Weekly Update for October 03-09, 2021

This edition of the weekly update spotlights violent agitation in the Niger Delta with a focus on violent separatist agitation in Imo State. Accord-ing to data (see map below), separatist agitation and targeted violence caused over 220 fatalities in Imo State between January 2019 and June 2021. Latest incidents indicate an increase in targeted violence and criminal victimization as a result of a resurgence of violent separatist agita-tion in the State. A weekly ‘sit-at-home’ order issued by supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has resulted in the restriction of movement and intensify insecurity in the State. In August 2021, for instance, gunmen reportedly killed two persons and burned two commer-cial buses over non-compliance with the IPOB ‘sit-at-home’ order in Ngwogwu town, Aboh Mbaise LGA. Separately, in August, five residents were reportedly killed, 20 shops destroyed and 10 vehicles vandalized in a series of attacks by gunmen in Okporo town, Orlu LGA. Recently, on October 1, 2021, a bus driver was reportedly killed by gunmen who were enforcing the “sit-at-home” order in Nguru town, Aboh Mbaise LGA.