A report by the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and the European Union has revealed that nearly 3,000 armed clashes resulted in over 4,500 deaths linked to crime and violence in the Niger Delta between 2020 and 2024.

The report, titled Devil’s Workshop: A Participatory Analysis of Violence and Criminality in the Niger Delta, examined crime trends in Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa states.

It highlighted cultism as the most prevalent crime, followed by theft, piracy, political violence, kidnapping, oil bunkering, and farmer-herder conflicts.

Findings indicate that those involved in violence-particularly cult gangs-face high risks.

During the report presentation, SDN Programme Director Ifeoma Ndekwu stated that illegal oil bunkering has declined due to increased surveillance.

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However, she noted that perpetrators often switch to other criminal activities when crackdowns occur.

“The same individuals engaged in cultism are also involved in theft, piracy, political unrest, and kidnapping. When one illegal activity is targeted by authorities, they shift to another. This cycle persists because economic hardship and idleness push many into crime,” she added.

SDN Country Director, Florence Ibok Abasi, said the report is not just an academic exercise but a call to action.

“We must move beyond familiar narratives and commit to solutions addressing crime’s root causes. Our goal is to restore stability to communities, building a more secure and just future for the Niger Delta,” she said.

European Union representative Alba Aguilera Ruben stressed the need for continued research and government intervention.

“There are solutions to the issues raised, and we hope this report reaches all levels of government to reverse the negative trend,” Ruben said.