Blog

Politics in the Niger Delta has often been characterized as high stakes issue and contest between personalities as much as it is between their platforms. Election cycles in Rivers State have recently been marred by violence, especially during gubernatorial and local contests. While there were some incidents of violence during the 2011 election cycle, RiversRead more

In the Niger Delta region, organized crime manifests most visibly as supremacy clashes between cult groups such as the Icelanders and Greenlanders, or Deywell versus Deybam. Over the past decade, such clashes have killed over 1000 people and have further complicated an already challenging operating environment for businesses. Despite the uniqueness of the Niger DeltaRead more

Exactly fifty years ago, Nigeria’s South East region comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo formally announced its break away from Nigeria and proclamation of a new nation called Biafra. The Federal Government effectively subdued the secessionist action after almost three years of devastating civil war that resulted in over one million deaths, largely childrenRead more

In recent times Calabar, the Cross River state capital has been faced with rising insecurity as a result of violence and criminality attributed to street children locally called ‘Skolombo Boys’ and ’Lacasera Girls.’ These homeless children beg for alms and scavenge for recyclable materials on the street, and have become a problem to residents ofRead more

Throughout 2016, there was a marked rise in violence in the Niger Delta not seen since the end of the first phase of militancy in 2009. While there are historical echoes to be sure, there are also distinct differences in dynamics that must be recognized in order to respond in a way that is relevantRead more

The current tensions in Delta state between the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri communities can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the period marked by the Warri Crisis. During that time, disputes over land, natural resource revenues, and political representation led to widespread violence and the alleged deaths of hundreds. ARead more

After the 2015 Presidential elections which saw a peaceful transition of power from incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan to General Mohammadu Buhari, many observers have rightfully expressed optimism for the future of Africa’s biggest economy. There is much to be optimistic about. For one, the Boko Haram counterinsurgency campaign has marked significant successes in the NortheastRead more

The agitation for resource control in the Niger Delta developed a violent dimension between 2006 and 2009, when militant groups took over the struggle from the political elites and resorted to violence to express their grievances. The militants resorted to armed struggle with government security forces and triggered a reduction in oil production through kidnappingRead more

Elections have been a cyclical driver of conflict risk and violence in Rivers state since 1999. The state was reported to have had the highest number of violent incidents during the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. In the lead-up and aftermath of the 2016 legislative election rerun on 19 March, Rivers was once again marredRead more

Reports of cult violence have increased sharply in the Niger Delta since the beginning of 2014. This has been particularly salient in Rivers State, where the violence has been spread over a wide geographic region. In Rivers, as in other Niger Delta states, cult violence has taken on various criminal, militant, communal, and/or political undertones,Read more