1.2.4. Violence linked to criminality, gangs/cults and separatism in the Niger Delta

1.2.4. Violence linked to criminality, gangs/cults and separatism in the Niger Delta

The main drivers of insecurity and lethal violence in the Niger Delta region included criminality, violence linked to gangs/cults, mob violence, separatist agitation, communal violence,235 disputes over land and resources,236 armed clashes between criminals and security forces.237 According to the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), an Abuja-based non-profit organisation working on economic and conflict-related issues in the Niger Delta, in 2024, the region saw a 30 % decline in fatalities linked to violent incidents compared to 2023 (from 1 019 to 713 fatalities), with decreases recorded for fatalities linked to criminal violence (from 647 deaths to 475), communal violence (from 74 to 68) and cult/gang-related clashes (from 177 to 143). However, insecurity still persisted across the Niger Delta, as PIND recorded an 11 % rise in incidents of criminal violence (from 401 to 445 incidents).238 For the first quarter of 2025, the same source reported a marginal 8.3 % decline in violent incidents compared to the last quarter of 2024, alongside a 27.7 % increase in overall conflict-related fatalities that was attributed to a rise in deaths from communal violence (from eight to 85), criminal violence (from 94 to 104) and mob violence (from 23 to 30).239 The second quarter of 2025 saw a 24 % decline in overall conflict-related fatalities from the first quarter of 2025, attributed to a decrease in deaths from mob violence (30 to six), criminal violence (126 to 110) and communal conflicts (from 85 to 39).240

Nigeria Watch reported 328 fatalities arising from violence related to gangs/cults, with most fatalities recorded in Anambra, Lagos and Rivers states.241 SBM Intelligence, a consultancy specialising in market and security research in West Africa,242 stated that between January 2020 and March 2025, 1 686 individuals had been killed in at least 909 violent incidents linked to gangs/cults in Nigeria. Among these years under review, 2024 recorded by far the highest number of incidents (273), and the third-highest number of fatalities (333) (following 377 in 2021 and 350 in 2020).243 The ‘epicentres’ of gang/cult-related violence were the South-South (accounting for more than 750 gang-related fatalities between January 2020 and March 2025) and the South-West (more than 491 fatalities). The South-East ranked third in terms of fatalities (more than 215 fatalities). By contrast, the North-East and the North-West together saw less than 30 fatalities linked to these traditional gangs,244 which can all trace their origins to the south.245 Meanwhile, the South-East also saw 379 deaths arising from violence related to pro-Biafran agitation in 2024.246