Niger Delta Weekly Update for February 20-26, 2022

This edition of the weekly update highlights lethal violence in the Niger Delta with a focus on the resurgence of gun violence in Rivers State. According to data (see map below), gun violence caused over 200 fatalities in Rivers State between January 2020 and September 2021. Recent incidents indicate a resurgence of gun related violence, including targeted killing of residents and armed clashes between criminal gangs and government security forces in the State. In January 2022, for instance, gunmen reportedly attacked a divisional police station and freed several inmates in Okrika town, Okrika LGA. Separately, in January, gunmen reportedly ambushed and killed a soldier and wounded two others at Ahiankwo market near a river bordering Asari-Toru and Emohua LGAs. More recently, on February 13, 2022, gunmen reportedly killed a resident at Omuobuizu village in Ibaa community, Emohua LGA. The gunmen reportedly attacked the community and shot indiscriminately at residents. The incident allegedly involved members of a disbanded local vigilante group and a newly formed community security outfit in the area.