2. Description of security situation per state
2.21 Abia state
South-East Region
The South-East Region comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. 1555
The South-East, just like South-South Region, used to be affected by the violence by ‘dominant militant groups [who] often operated via kidnappings and oil bunkering.’1556 In recent years, the regions are increasingly conflicts over scarce natural resources such as land and water for farming and herding communities.1557 The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) explained:
‘Herdsmen, who are typically from northern Nigeria, often migrate to the southern parts of the country in search of healthy and greener grazing pastures, which are now of very low quantity in the north. These herdsmen are often regarded as strangers in their new settlements, they encroach on the farms of the local people and their animals graze on (and destroy) the farmers’ crops. This has mostly been the source of the crisis between the two groups, resulting in cattle rustling, killings, rapes, abductions and other atrocities.’1558
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) reported that ‘conflict over land and water, once largely restricted to the Middle Belt, is spreading to the south, where it frequently acquires ethnic and religious overtones. Many Igbo—mostly Christian—believe they are targeted by the Muslim Fulani herdsmen bringing their flocks south in search of better pastures. Criminal activity is widespread and often the Igbo attribute it to the Fulani.’1559
State attempts to resettle herding communities to the southern areas were met with many protests among a mainly Igbo and Christian population, as USDOS noted in its 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom on Nigeria: the ‘news of a government plan to resettle the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen in southern parts of the country’ was negatively received, resulting in ‘threatening violence against Fulani communities in South West and South East states’, leading to the plan to be later annulled.1560
For more information, see Section 1.4.1.1.
In the 2006 census, the population of Abia state was 2 845 380. Based on this census, the population was estimated at 3 727 347 in 2016.1563
Igbos constitute 95 % of the state’s population. The official language is English and the local one is Igbo.1564
About 70 % of the population works in agriculture, and in addition there is crude oil and gas production.1565
2.21.2 Conflict background and armed actors
2.21.2.1 Background of the conflict
In 2020, Abia state experienced few intercommunal confrontations. The background to these clashes is related to conflicts over land and its resources.1566
In 2020, several local communities in Abia voiced their discontent over Fulani herdsmen taking over their farmlands.1567 The Nigeria Voice reported that ‘as [of] August 2019, 139 Igbo communities, villages and locations have been occupied by Fulani Herdsmen’. In May 2020, that number had reportedly increased to 350. In Abia 43 villages were reportedly ‘occupied by herdsmen’.1568 These numbers could not be corroborated by other sources.
Over the three quarters of 2020, Abia was ranked by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) among the states with low number of incidents and fatalities in the Niger Delta.1569
2.21.2.2 Actors
In 2020, the main actors in the security situation in Abia state were police services, cults, and unidentified gunmen and communal clashes.1570
2.21.3 Recent security trends and impact on the population
Some of the reported incidents with highest numbers of fatalities were inter-state clashes.
Kidnappings and cult killings also took place.1571 Several fatalities were also recorded due to police, coronavirus task force and NSCDC violence on checkpoints, during lockdown enforcement check-ups,
1563 Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics, National Population Estimates, n.d., url, p. 2
1564 Nigeria, Abia State, n.d., url
1565 Nigeria, Abia State, n.d., url
1566 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url; Nigeria Watch, Database, filtered on Abia, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url; The Sun, Boundary dispute: 4 killed in 4 Abia communities, 23 June 2020, url; Vanguard, Communal clash: Abia communities cry out for Govt intervention over killings of its citizens, 23 June 2020, url
1567 Vanguard, Communities in South-East groan, as herdsmen take over farmlands, 1 July 2020, url; Business Hallmark, Ukwa community accuses Ikpeazu of treachery, 13 July 2020, url; Business Day, Abia community rejects government’s proposed cattle market, 16 August 2020, url
1568 TNV, State backed Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Shuwa Arabs now occupy 350 Igbo Communities and villages, 27 May 2020, url
1569 PIND, Niger Delta Quarterly Conflict Tracker – Q1 2020 (January to March), 18 May 2020, url, p. 3; PIND, Niger Delta Quarterly Conflict Tracker – Q2 2020 (April to June), 28 July 2020, url, p. 3; PIND, Niger Delta Quarterly Conflict Tracker – Q3 2020 (July to September), 11 November 2020, url, p. 3
1570 Nigeria Watch, Database, filtered on Abia, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url; ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
1571 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url; Nigeria Watch, Database, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
and in response to police brutality and extra-judicial killings during #EndSARS protests, or under unknown circumstances.1572
According to the 2020 PIND report, ‘Several incidents of extra-judicial killings by public security forces were reported in Abia state during the year, particularly in Umuahia North, Ohafia, Obi Ngwa, Isiala Ngwa North, Aba North and Aba South LGAs.’1573
In March and April 2020, an increasing number of domestic violence and gender-based violence cases was reported in Abia, mainly during the imposed lockdowns for the prevention of the coronavirus.1574
2.21.3.1 Number of security incidents
In the year 2020, ACLED reported a total of 31 security incidents (8 battles, 14 cases of violence against civilians, 9 incidents of riots) in Abia state, resulting in 23 deaths. The highest number of security incidents took place in Aba South LGA (9 incidents with 4 deaths). Of the 14 incidents of violence against civilians, 9 were attacks and 5 abductions.1575 I
The evolution of the types of security events through the reference period, as well as the highest number of incidents by LGA is shown in the graph below. Other than the above-mentioned types of security incidents, 19 protests were reported during the reference period. 1576
Figure 30 Evolution of security events coded battles, explosions/remote violence, riots, and violence against civilians according to LGAs in Abia state in 2020, based on ACLED data1577
1572 Social Action – Social Development Integrated Centre, Human rights violations during Covid-19 lockdown in Nigeria, 29 April 2020, url; ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 2020 to 312-2020, url; Nigeria Watch, Database, filtered on Abia, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url; PIND, Niger Delta Annual Conflict Report: January – December 2020, 9 February 2021, url, p. 8
1573 PIND, Niger Delta Annual Conflict Report: January – December 2020, 9 February 2021, url, p. 8
1574 UN, Gender-based violence in Nigeria during the Covid-19 crisis: the shadow pandemic, 4 May 2020, url, p. 6
1575 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
1576 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
1577 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
No source was found reporting on civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries of civilians. The identified sources report solely on the number of fatalities and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their reporting. The table below shows the number of violent incidents and fatalities, according to type of incident for Abia state in 2020, as recorded by ACLED.
Abia state Nr of incidents Nr of fatalities
Battles 8 12
Explosions/remote violence 0 0
Violence against civilians 14 7
Riots 9 4
Total 31 23
Table 26 Number of violent incidents and fatalities by type of incident in 20201578
From 1 January to 30 April 2021, ACLED reported a total of 8 security incidents (5 battles, 1 incident of remote violence/explosions, 1 case of violence against civilians, 1 incident of riots) in Abia state, resulting in 10 deaths. 1579
2.21.3.2 Illustrative security incidents
In February 2020, two members of the Isu community were killed in an IDP camp in Iheosu-Isu (Arochukwu LGA), which was attacked by members from a Utuma community in Cross River state. The attack was allegedly related to a land boundary dispute. Another 10 Isu community members were reported missing.1580 According to the source, over the span of two years and resulting clashes between the Isu and the Utuma communities, over 60 Utuma members were killed, 3 villages have been sacked, and 40 houses have been burned.1581
In June 2020, four persons were killed in an intercommunal violence over a land boundary dispute between Ariam-Usaka community (Ikwuano LGA) and Nkari community (Ini LGA, Akwa-Ibom state).1582 16 Usaku-Ukwa community members were killed, and 6 were reported missing.1583 Another source reported that between May 2020 and 22 January 2021, the Nkari invaded the Usaka Ukwu farmlands, and killed 16 people.1584
On 9 June 2020, 7 IPOB members were arrested in Aba following the protest of over 100 pro-Biafra activists against the killing of Christians and Biafrans in the country.1585
During 2020, the incidents of cult violence between two rival cult groups in Aba town, Aye and Aro group, resulted in seven fatalities, while three were attributed to unidentified cult groups.1586 On 20 October 2020, three persons were killed in an alleged cult clash for superiority over Aba town, Abia state’s commercial capital.1587 On 15 November 2020 (Aba town), reportedly 3 persons were killed in
1578 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
1579 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED Dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2021 to 30-04-2021, url
1580 Vanguard, Land tussle: 2 killed, 10 missing in Abia/Cross Rivers clash, 4 February 2020, url; Daily Trust, 2 dead, 10 missing as hoodlums attack neighbouring community, 7 February 2020, url
1581 Vanguard, Land tussle: 2 killed, 10 missing in Abia/Cross Rivers clash, 4 February 2020, url
1582 The Sun Nigeria, Boundary dispute: 4 killed in 4 Abia communities, 23 June 2020, url; Vanguard, Communal clash: Abia communities cry out for Govt intervention over killings of its citizens, 23 June 2020, url; Punch, Abia community laments border crisis with Akwa Ibom, 26 June 2020, url
1583 Guardian (The) Nigeria, Akwa Ibom community blames communal clashes on locals, NBC’s indifference, 27 January 2021, url; The Sun Nigeria, Abia/Akwa Ibom boundary clash: 1 soldier, 16 others killed, 6 missing, 2 February 2021, url
1584 The Sun Nigeria, Abia/Akwa Ibom boundary clash: 1 soldier, 16 others killed, 6 missing, 2 February 2021, url
1585 Vanguard, Police arrest seven suspected IPOB members in Aba, 9 June 2020, url
1586 Nigeria Watch, Database, filtered on Abia, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
1587 The Nation, Three killed in Abia rival cults clash, 20 October 2020, url
allegedly the continuation of the ongoing feud between two rival cult groups, Aye and Aro cults.1588 Other known cult groups active in Aba town include the Vikings and the Black Axe.1589
In the period between 13 April and 4 May 2020, the NHRC reported four extra-judicial killings in Abia state by the Abia State Task Force on Covid-19 to the police, and NSCDC.1590
2.21.3.3 State’s ability to secure law and order
During 2020, several kidnappings were successfully resolved by police or SARS.1591 On 29 January 2020, police arrested a five men gang responsible for armed robbery and a murder of a couple in Umuahia, with another 15 suspects arrested for robbery and kidnapping.1592 On 15 February 2020, a 16 men gang was arrested by the operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The gang was suspected of armed robbery and kidnapping in mainly Enugu, Imo and Abia states. Their camp location was reported to be in Osisioma LGA.1593
On 20 April 2020, the Abia State Government condemned the unwarranted shooting and killing of some Abians by security operatives.1594 In 2020, five people were killed by the police, the coronavirus task force and NSCDC.1595
On 1 July 2020, the Deputy Governor of Abia state called the Nigeria Army to assist in reducing conflicts between farmers and herders, while the government continues to ‘engage traditional rules, presidents general of various town unions and other stakeholders in the state on the need to maintain peace and not take the law into their hands even when the herders continue to wreak havoc on farmlands’.1596 The Nigerian Army representative reiterated army’s commitment to provide security, while emphasizing the need for the government, army and traditional rules at the community level to proactively address the rising land disputes and clashes between farmers and herders. 1597
On 23 October 2020, the Governor of Abia state inaugurated the Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate extrajudicial killings and all forms of police brutality, extortion and intimidation from 2015 to date. Furthermore, the panel was tasked to investigate ‘examine the root causes of the hijack of the peaceful ENDSARS protest by hoodlums and identify those involved’.1598
In December 2020, the Abia State Governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to security of citizens and their property with the support of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC) in fighting street cultism, which allegedly has become a major facilitator of crime among the youth.1599
1588 The Sun – Nigeria, Cult war: 4 killed in Abia, 18 November 2020, url
1589 Vanguard, Stay away from our territory, cultists warned, 26 February 2021, url
1590 Nigeria, NHRC, Report on alleged human rights violations recorded between 13th April to 4th May, 2020 following the extension of the lockdown period by government, 10 May 2020, url, pp. 3, 5
1591 Vanguard, Abia police confirm arrest of 5 kidnap suspects, 7 January 2020, url; Vanguard, Police kill 2 kidnap suspects, rescue 3 victims in Abia, 2 February 2020, url; Nigeria Daily News, Police kill 2 kidnappers in Aba, rescue victims (graphic photos + video), 3 February 2020, url; Daily Post, Police arrests 4 kidnap suspects, others in Abia, 25 July 2020, url; Vanguard, Police confirm arrest of four kidnap suspects, others in Abia, 25 July 2020, url
1592 Guardian (The) Nigeria, Police arrest suspects over couple shot to death on Saturday, 29 January 2020, url; The Sun News, Abia police arrest killers of couple in Umuahia, 15 other robbery, kidnap suspects, 29 January 2020, url; Nigeria, FMIC, Abia Police Command parades notorious armed robbery gangs, 30 January 2020, url
1593 PM News, End of the road for criminal gang operating in Abia, Enugu, Imo, 15 February 2020, url
1594 Vanguard, Abia State Govt condemns shooting of Abians by security operatives, 20 April 2020, url
1595 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
1596 Daily Post, Abia State seeks Army’s partnership over security, 1 July 2020, url
1597 Daily Post, Abia State seeks Army’s partnership over security, 1 July 2020, url; Nigeria, FMIC, Abia State government to partner Nigeria Army in the enhancement of security network, 4 July 2020, url
1598 Nigeria, Abia State, EndSARS protest … Ikpeazu inaugurates Judicial Panel of Inquiry, 23 October 2020, url; Vanguard,
#EndSARS: Ikpeazu inaugurates Judicial Panel of Inquiry, 23 October 2020, url
1599 Nigeria, FMIC, We will continue to prioritize security of lives and property in Abia State, Ikpeazu, 10 December 2020, url
2.21.3.4 Road security
In 2020, ACLED registered two incidents of police violence against civilians at a checkpoint in Aba (Aba South LGA)1600 and by coronavirus task force in Umuahia (Umuahi LGA)1601, resulting in two fatalities.1602 Similarly, NSCDC killed one civilian at a checkpoint in Umuikea (Isialangwa LGA) for allegedly refusing to pay a bribe.1603
In multiple attacks in September 2020, unidentified gunmen attacked police checkpoints in Owaza (Ukwa West LGA) and Aba (Aba South LGA) while and killed at least one soldier and injured others.1604 Two policemen were killed in Aba (Aba South LGA), during #EndSARS street protest, when also two police stations were destroyed, and reportedly 15 protestors sustained injuries from the live ammunition used against them by police.1605
2.21.3.5 Infrastructure damage and explosive remnants of war
No information was found on infrastructure damage and explosive remnants of war.
2.21.3.6 Displacement and return IDPs
No information was found on the number of conflict-related IDPs in Abia state.
Returnees
No information was found on the number of returnees to Abia state.