Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update for April 04 – 10, 2021

This edition of the weekly update highlights insurgency and counter-insurgent violence in the Niger Delta with a focus on criminal insurgency in Imo State. According to data (see map below), insurgency and counter-insurgent violence caused over 100 fatalities in Imo State between 2016 and 2020. Recent data shows a rise in criminal insurgency – criminal subversion of state legitimacy – in Imo State. In February 2021, for instance, gunmen reportedly attacked a divisional police headquarters, killed two police officers and injured three others in Umulowe town, Obowo LGA. In March, gunmen reportedly attacked another divisional police headquarters, killed an officer and burned official documents in Umuelemai town, Isiala Mbano LGA. Recently, on April 05, 2021, gunmen reportedly attacked the state police headquarters and a correctional facility in Owerri, the State capital. More than 1,000 inmates were reportedly set free and over 38 vehicles burned during the incident. More recently, on April 08, 2021, gunmen reportedly attacked a police station, vandalized the building and abducted a police officer in Mbieri town, Mbaitoli LGA.