This weekly update spotlights insurgency and counter-insurgent violence in the Niger Delta with a focus on a resurgence of criminal insurgency in Abia and Imo State. According to data (see map below), criminal insurgency including targeted violence against government security personnel caused over 300 fatalities in Abia and Imo State between January 2020 and March 2022.

Recent incidents indicate a resurgence of criminal insurgency and gun violence in the two States, especially targeted killings of government officials and private citizens. In March 2022, for in-stance, gunmen reportedly killed four residents in Amangwu community in Ohafia LGA, Abia State.

In April, suspected separatist militias reportedly attacked a team of soldiers and burned an armored vehicle at a security checkpoint along the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway in Osisioma Ngwa LGA. In May, a Nigerian Army couple were reportedly killed and decapitated by gunmen suspected to be separatist militias in Orlu LGA, Imo State. Also, in May, gunmen reportedly killed a police officer at a security checkpoint in Agwa town in Oguta LGA, Imo State.

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