Niger Delta Weekly Update for January 09-15, 2022

This edition of the weekly update spotlights the herder-farmer conflict in the Niger Delta with a focus on renewed clashes between herders and farmers in Ondo State. According to data (see map below), the farmer-herder conflict caused more than 30 fatalities in Ondo State between January 2018 and November 2021. Recent incidents indicate an escalation of violent clashes and renewed hostilities between herders and farmers in the State. In January, 2022, for instance, three residents were reportedly killed and villages and farmlands destroyed during clashes between herders and farmers over access to land for grazing in Molege Community, Ose LGA. Several persons were also reportedly injured during a clash between armed herdsmen and some members of a local vigilante group during the incident. More recently, on January 10, 2022, five residents including two farmers and three community youth leaders were reportedly killed during clashes between herders and farmers at a farmland in Arimogija community, Ose LGA. Many residents were also reportedly injured and several others displaced during the incident.