2.5.4. Delta

2.5.4. Delta

Delta state is comprised of the following 25 LGAs: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Bomadi, Burutu, Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Ika North-East, Ika South, Isoko North, Isoko South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Patani, Sapele, Udu, Ugheli North, Ugheli South, Ukwuani, Uvwie, Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West. The capital city is Asaba.1603

The main ethnic groups are Urhobos, Ishekiri, Ijaw, Delta-Igbos.1604

UNFPA and the US Census Bureau projected the population at 5 636 145 in 2022, based on figures from the 2006 census.1605

a) Conflict dynamics and main actors

For a general overview on actors in Nigeria, please see section 1.1 Main Actors.

Communal tensions,1606 criminal violence,1607 and gang/cult-related violence were the main drivers of insecurity in Delta state during the reference period.1608 Criminal activities included kidnapping,1609 homicide,1610 robbery and clashes between security forces and ‘bandits’.1611

Cult/gang-related violence involved groups such as the Eiye,1612 the Black Axe/Aye,1613 the Vikings1614/Bagger,1615 and the Maphite.1616

Sources reported of communal violence over land between communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs,1617 in Ughelli North and Ughelli South LGAs,1618 as well as between herders and farmers in Ika South LGA,1619 Ika North-East and Ughelli North LGAs,1620 and – specifically involving Fulani herders – in Ethiope East1621 and Ethiope West1622 LGAs.

b) Security incidents and impact on the population

In the period 1 January 2024 and 31 August 2025, ACLED recorded 211 security incidents in Delta state, resulting in 217 fatalities. Of these security incidents, 103 were coded as battles, 2 as explosion/remote violence, 25 as riots, and 81 as violence against civilians.1623

Security incidents were recorded by ACLED in 24 LGAs of the state, with the highest number of security incidents documented in Ughelli North LGA (48), followed by Aniocha South (34), Oshimili North (13), Ndokwa West and Oshimili South (12 incidents each). No incidents were recorded in one LGA (Warri South-West). According to ACLED, unidentified armed groups and Fulani ethnic militia (coded as either ‘Actor 1’ or ‘Actor 2’) were involved in the majority of incidents coded as violence against civilians.1625

Delta State was among the states in the Niger Delta region with the highest rates of conflict-related fatalities in 2024,1626 as well as in the first quarter of 2025, according to PIND.1627 At local government level, the highest number of conflict-related fatalities was recorded in Ughelli North LGA in both 2024 and early 2025.1628 In the second quarter of 2025, PIND recorded the highest number of fatalities in Ethiope East LGA.1629

Security incidents during the reference period were, for example communal clashes over land in Bomadi LGA in March 2024. 16 soldiers on a peace mission were killed in the context of these clashes.1630 The Okuama community was subsequently surrounded by soldiers who were said to have set some buildings on fire in response to the killings.1631 In August 2024, four persons were killed in separate incidents in Ughelli North LGA in clashes between Black Axe/Aye and Viking confraternities, reportedly over unpaid debts related to a drug deal.1632 Sources reported of kidnappings along the Ughelli-Patani road,1633 and the Eku-Abraka road.1634

Conflict-related infrastructure damage and road security – No information could be found during the reference period.

Displacement, movement and return - No information could be found during the reference period.

c) State response in maintaining law and order

Punch stated in June 2025 that over the previous three months there had been a ‘surge in violent crimes, including kidnappings and killings’ across the state, which continued ‘unabated’. In reaction to communities’ protests, a joint security operation was set up, including ‘police officers, local hunters, vigilantes, and anti-cult volunteers’. In the course of the operation, the security forces engaged in a gunfight with suspected kidnappers along the Abraka Railway, reportedly killing four suspects. In another community, women reportedly protested over the disappearance of at least 26 children in the area, claiming that these disappearances continued ‘without any clear leads or arrests’.1635