This weekly update spotlights organized criminality in the Niger Delta with a focus on gang violence in Rivers State. Clashes between rival cult gangs has been a major driver of conflict and insecurity in Rivers State. According to data (see map above), cult and gang violence caused over 200 fatalities in the State between January 2021 and September 2023. Recent data shows a rise in cult and gang violence in the State, after a few months of relative decline in reported incidents. In September 2023, for instance, a notable Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was reportedly killed by members of a notorious cult gang in Odeimude community, Ahoada East LGA. Separately, in September, a young man was allegedly beaten to death by hoodlums suspected to be members of a rival cult gang in Rumuodomaya community, Obio/Akpor LGA. In October, a young man was reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be cultists at Mile 1 in Diobu community, Port Harcourt LGA. More recently, on November 12, 2023, gunmen suspected to be members of a cult gang reportedly killed five persons in Odiemerenyi community, Ahoada East LGA