Nigeria: Communal clashes in Niger state May 2

Event

Violent communal clashes broke out in the Mokwa area of Niger state on Wednesday, May 2. According to local sources, the fighting left at least one person dead and several more wounded. Niger state officials have reportedly sent additional security forces to Mokwa in an effort to contain the violence; nevertheless, retaliatory clashes are possible in the coming days.

Context

Ethnic and sectarian clashes are common in Nigeria. Central Nigeria has become the scene of almost daily clashes between farmers and the largely nomadic herders in a battle for land and resources. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recently reported that murder rates linked to ethnic violence in Nigeria are higher than those related to terrorism, also a major security concern in the country.

Advice

Individuals in Niger state are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. The security environment in Nigeria is complex and particularly poor 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.