Niger Delta Weekly Update for March 06-12, 2022

This weekly update spotlights communal conflicts in the Niger Delta with a focus on inter-communal clashes over land disputes in Cross River State. According to data (see map below), inter-communal conflict over land ownership and boundary disputes caused over 700 fatalities in Cross River State between January 2018 and December 2021. Recently, communal tensions escalated following renewed inter-communal clashes over land disputes in parts of the State. In February 2022, for instance, a bishop and his son were reportedly killed and several houses destroyed during a communal clash over a lingering land dispute between Urugbam and Abanwan communities in Biase LGA. The communal clash was reportedly triggered by a longstanding conflict over the ownership of an oil palm plantation in the area. More recently, on March 07, 2022, two persons were reportedly killed, many others injured, several properties destroyed and major roads blocked during a series of clashes over an ongoing conflict over a land dispute between Alesi community in Ikom LGA and Ochon community in Obubra LGA, Cross River State.