Nigeria: Aba (Abia state) curfew extended indefinitely

Event

In a bid to mitigate violent unrest between Biafra secessionists, the Hausa community, and security forces, the Abia state government has extended the three-day overnight curfew in Aba indefinitely, in effect nightly from 22:00 to 06:00 (local time). The curfew was initially imposed from 18:00,  following clashes between Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) activists and security forces in Umuahia, Abia state, on September 12. Abia state officials also postponed the first day of school in Aba from September 18 until September 25 (at soonest) in light of the recent tensions and clashes. Meanwhile, the Plateau state government has relaxed the curfew put in place following clashes in the Jos-Buruku area; the curfew is now in effect beginning at 20:00 and lasting until 06:00 (instead of from 18:00 to 06:00) until further notice.

Following a meeting held on September 15, the South-East Governors announced on September 18 that they have proscribed IPOB in the five states in the region, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo State. IPOB has rejected the ban and the Army’s declaration of the group as a terrorist organization as “illegal and unconstitutional,” adding that it will continue its agitation in pursuit of a sovereign Biafra.

Context

The curfews and subsequent ban on IPOB activities were put in place in a bid to stem the rising tensions in southeastern states (including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states) following the heavy deployment of soldiers and artillery for Operation Python Dance II and the clashes between IPOB members and both soldiers and members of northern communities. The recent violence is the latest in a series of escalating conflicts between Biafra separatists and the central Nigerian government in the southeastern region, which has also exacerbated existing frictions between various communities in the area. The increased deployment of soldiers to the southeast region and Operation Python Dance II have been widely condemned by political and socio-cultural groups, including the southeast Senators and Ohanaeze Ndigbo  (the umbrella group that represents all Igbo communities), who have warned that the military operation is a deliberate and proactive escalation in the crisis. Following speculations that IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has gone into hiding, the tensions are likely to persist, while Operation Python Dance II may cause further clashes with pro-Biafra supporters. Kanu is expected to be in court on October 17 as the court rules on the Federal Government’s request that Kanu be re-arrested for disobeying his bail conditions. 

Advice

Individuals in Nigeria are advised to remain vigilant at all times, to avoid sites deemed particularly likely to witness clashes (government buildings, places of worship, tourist sites, etc.), and to avoid non-essential travel to regions affected by the current unrest.

On a more general note, travelers are advised to follow any orders issued by authorities and abide by all curfews in effect. The security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.