Nigeria: Security forces target militant camps in Niger Delta May 3

Event

On Thursday, May 3, Operation Delta Safe officials confirmed the deaths of four notable militants, including the leader of the Bakassi Strike Force group, and the destruction of militant camps in the nine states of the Niger Delta region (Abia state; Akwa Ibom state; Bayelsa state; Cross River state; Delta state; Edo state; Imo state; Ondo state; Rivers state). As part of the operation, the officials also confirmed that thousands of heavy arms and ammunition were also recovered, and that the Nigerian army had seized thousands of items used in crude oil theft. Additional operations against suspected militants and militant positions are expected in the abovementioned areas in the coming weeks.

Context

A significant number of militant groups are active in the Delta region, frequently attacking oil and gas facilities. The groups in primarily demand the redistribution of wealth generated by oil assets in the Niger Delta, as well as environmental protection initiatives to combat the damage caused by oil extraction activities over the past few decades. In 2016, attacks on oil facilities brought Nigeria's oil production to a 30-year low. Nigeria has historically depended on the oil sector for 70 percent of its government revenue and 90 percent of its foreign exchange.

Advice

Individuals present in the Niger Delta region are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for potential militant activity and, if possible, avoid nonessential travel to affected regions.

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 Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, and Kano states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). It is also advisable to avoid nonessential travel to Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kaduna states. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.