Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update for March 07-13, 2021

This edition of the weekly update highlights maritime crimes in the Niger Delta with a focus on piracy and sea robbery in Rivers State. According to data (see map below), piracy and sea robbery reportedly caused over 50 fatalities in Rivers State between 2016 and 2020. Recent data indicates a resurgence of piracy, robbery and kidnapping at sea in the State. In January, 2021, for instance, sea robbers reportedly attacked two boats, killed two passengers and forced others to jump into the sea along Aru-Gbanaama and Polokiri communities in Bonny LGA. In February, pirates reportedly hijacked a passenger boat and kidnapped 12 persons including the boat skipper along the Bonny-Bille waterways in Bonny LGA. In a recent incident, on March 06, 2021, 10 expatriate fishermen who were reportedly abducted by pirates off the Atlantic coast in Gabon were rescued by Nigerian security forces in Rivers State. The expatriates were reportedly abducted in February and released in March after a ransom was allegedly paid. The rising threat of piracy and maritime crime recently triggered a series of protests by some residents in the State.