This document summarizes conflict patterns in Edo State, Nigeria from May-July 2017 and recent incidents in August 2017, as reported by the Integrated Peace and Development Unit's early warning system. During May-July, reported incidents included cult violence, criminality, communal tensions between farmers and herders, and violence against women. In August, reported incidents mainly involved criminality, cult violence, communal tensions, and protests against violence against women. The document provides data on conflict incidents and fatalities by local government area and a heat map showing the concentration of incidents and locations of registered peace agents.
1. Background
This monthly tracker is designed to update
Peace Agents on patterns and trends in
conflict risk and violence, as identified by the
Integrated Peace and Development Unit
(IPDU) early warning system, and to seek
feedback and input for response to mitigate
areas of conflict.
Patterns and Trends
May-July 2017
According to Peace Map data (see Figure 1),
incidents reported during the period
included cult violence, criminality, and
communal tensions. Many incidents involved
violence against women and girls (VAWG)
and tensions between indigenes and
northern herders.
Gang/Cult Violence: In May, a university
student was reportedly killed in a cult clash.
In July, three were reportedly killed in
renewed rival cult clashes in Oredo LGA.
Violent Criminality: In June, a 41-year old
man was reportedly killed by gunmen in his
residence in Oredo LGA. Separately,
kidnappers reportedly killed an officer of the
Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps
(NSCDC) and abducted a Chinese expatriate
in Etsako East. In Ovia North-East, two
people, including a pregnant woman, were
reportedly killed by robbers who waylaid
motorists. In Oredo, a policeman and his two
siblings were reportedly shot dead by
robbers. In July, a journalist was reportedly
shot dead in Benin City. Separately, three
including a bus conductor and a pregnant
woman were reportedly shot dead by
highway robbers in Ovia North-East LGA. In
another incident, a woman was reportedly
beaten to death by a 35-year old man who
attempted stealing her mobile phone in
Etsako East LGA.
Communal Tensions: Tension between
farmers and herders was elevated during this
period. In May, four women were reportedly
killed in Etsako Central LGA. Separately, two
elderly women were reportedly raped and
killed in Esan Central. In June, a 35-year old
woman was reportedly shot dead in Etsako
West LGA. Two women were reportedly
beheaded in Esan West and Esan Southwest
LGA, reportedly leading to protest in the
community.
Other Violence Against Women and Girls
(VAWG) incidents: In addition to the impact
of communal tensions and criminality on
women and girls listed above, domestic
violence was also reported during this
period. In June, the corpse of a woman
reportedly killed by her lover was discovered
in the bathroom in Oredo.
Recent Incidents or
Issues, August 2017
Incidents reported during the month mainly
related to criminality, cult violence,
communal tensions, and protests.
Violent Criminality: A former youth leader
was reportedly assassinated in Ikpoba-Okha.
The killing sparked off protests by youths
who set ablaze the palace of a traditional
Conflict Incident Monthly Tracker
Edo State: July-August 2017
Figure 1: Incidents and Fatalities, Edo State
Reported incidents and fatalities from April– July 2017 in Edo State. Sources: ACLED and Nigeria Watch for-
matted on the P4P Peace Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org.
Incidents Fatalities
Mar-17 8 8
Apr-17 5 22
May-17 7 13
Jun-17 8 11
Jul-17 5 8
0
5
10
15
20
25
Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17
Incidents Fatalities
2. ruler in the community. Separately, an
Assistant Superintendent of the Nigerian
Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)
was reportedly killed by gunmen at his
residence in Benin City, the state capital. In
another incident, an auto mechanic and two
of his clients were reportedly shot dead in
Oredo LGA.
Protest: A coalition of civil society
organizations (CSOs) protested against
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
in Oredo. The protesters called for the
implementation of the Child Rights Act, and
the domestication of the Violence Against
Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in the state.
Prognosis
Reported incidents during the period related
mainly to communal tensions, cult violence,
and other criminal activities. Many involved
tensions between farmers and herders as
well as Violence Against Women and Girls
(VAWG). Peace Actors should monitor the
security situation closely and respond
appropriately.
Questions for Peace
Agents
1. Is there anything significant missing
from the tracker in terms of hotspots,
trends, or incidents?
2. Which conflict issue suggested by, or
missing from, this tracker is a top
priority for you (as P4P Chapter,
Prevent Committee, or other
stakeholder)?
3. What are some likely trigger events in
the next 6 months that could escalate
this conflict?
4. Who are the key stakeholders that
have influence on the conflict?
5. What will you do to help mitigate the
conflict in the short, medium, and long
term?
NIGER DELTA MONTHLY CONFLICT TRACKER: EDO STATE, JULY— AUGUST 2017
2 PARTNERS FOR PEAC E THE FUND FOR PEAC EFOUNDATION FOR PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES IN THE NIGER DEL TA
Figure 2: Conflict Fatalities by LGA
(May - July 2017)
Figure 4: Heat Map of Incidents and Peace Agents in Edo State
Heat Map shows concentration of incidents reported from May-July 2017 in Edo State; with green stars
representing the registered Peace Agents. Source: All data sources formatted for the P4P Peace Map
www.p4p-nigerdelta.org
Reported incidents by Local Government Area (LGA) in Edo State during this period show that Oredo had
the most reported conflict fatalities in the state. Source (Figure 2): ACLED and Nigeria Watch data for-
matted for the P4P Peace Map. Source (Figure 3): Nigeria Watch data formatted for the P4P Peace Map
www.p4p-nigerdelta.org
Contact Us Inquiries: Afeno Super Odomovo, IPDU Research Coordinator
Telephone: 08172401595
Email: afeno@pindfoundation.org
Report Incidents: IPDU Early Warning System
Please report any verified incident of conflict to the IPDU SMS early warning system:
Text: 080 9936 2222
Incident Details: Kindly include the State, LGA, Town, Date, and Brief Incident Description
Figure 3: Conflict Fatalities by LGA
Gang/Cult Violence 16
Violent Criminality
Communal/Ethnic Violence 2
Other Fatalities
August (May-July 2017) Oredo
Violent Criminality 7
Communal/Ethnic Violence
Gang/Cult Violence 4
Violence Against Women and Girls 1
Other Fatalities 1
0
5
10
15
Other Fatalities
Violence Against Women and Girls
Gang/Cult Violence
Communal/Ethnic Violence
Violent Criminality
Jan-17 0 0 1
Feb-17 1 9 0
Mar-17 0 3 1
Apr-17 2 0 3
May-17 0 4 0
Jun-17 0 5 2
Etsako WestEgor Oredo
Apr-17 16 2 0
May-17 1 0 4
Jun-17 1 0 5
Jul-17 0 0 4
0
5
10
15
20
Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17
Etsako West Egor
Oredo Akoko Edo
Ovia North-East Etsako East
Ikpoba-Okha Etsako Central
Esan Central Esan West