Niger Delta Weekly Update for January 16-22, 2022

This edition of the weekly update highlights communal conflicts in the Niger Delta with a focus on rising communal tensions over land disputes in Delta State. According to data (see map below), communal conflicts caused more than 350 fatalities in Delta State between January 2018 and November 2021. Recent incidents indicate a resurgence of communal violence over land and boundary disputes, and collection of levies in the State. In January 2022, for instance, two persons were reportedly killed and several others wounded during renewed clashes over a lingering land dispute between Igbide and Okpolo-Enwhe communities in Isoko South LGA. Separately, in January, several properties were reportedly destroyed during a clash between Itsekiri youths and Hausa traders over the collection of levies at a market in Ugbuwangue community, Warri South LGA. More recently, on January 11, 2022, four persons were reportedly injured, several properties destroyed and many residents displaced during a clash over a land dispute between Otonyasere and Abigborodo communities in Sapele and Warri North LGAs respectively.