Executions of Borgu captives and NSCDC custody deaths in Niger dominate September as Plateau attacks surge

• •Bandits from the Sengeko axis are likely to attempt further mass abductions along the Zamfara-Niger border, particularly in Mariga LGA, after taking at least 100 people in Maburya.
• •Further attacks on commuter vehicles and farming communities are likely in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South LGAs of Plateau, where killings continued despite the dusk-to-dawn curfew.
• •Further Fulani-Kambari violence in Lafagu and Buya, Bagudo LGA, Kebbi, could add to displacement, which the NRCS/SEMA/MSF assessment found was still growing. Lakurawa elements also remain active in Kangiwa and Arewa Dandi LGAs.
• •Election-related violence is likely to rise as campaigning gathers pace. In September, thugs attacked a Radio Nigeria vehicle after an APC rally in Kano, gunmen fired on a Nigeria Democratic Congress meeting in Nkanu West, Enugu, and thugs blocked a presidential candidate's convoy on the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway.
• •Armed herders around Ayilamo, Logo LGA, Benue, killed police in at least three separate attacks in September, and police units deployed there remain exposed.

• •The Niger State government's investigation into the NSCDC custody deaths, and the commandant's suspension, offer a route to accountability and reform of detention conditions. The investigation will need to establish the cause of death and settle conflicting accounts of where the deaths happened.
• •Ondo State's request for a coroner's inquest, the joint NAFDAC-WHO investigation and the review of rules on local herbal and alcoholic drinks could prevent another methanol poisoning outbreak.
• •Infighting between JAS and ISWAP is producing escapes, such as the 43 people intercepted in Konduga LGA, Borno. Operation HADIN KAI also recorded 219 surrenders in August. Both create openings to expand defection and reintegration channels.

Niger. The rise in fatalities was driven by the beheading of 30 Borgu captives, a reported 57 security personnel killed on 24 September, and the NSCDC custody deaths. The custody deaths were recorded several times, which inflates the delta.

Ondo. The methanol-contaminated drinks outbreak in Odigbo and Irele LGAs, linked to 48 deaths, drove the rise. The event was recorded more than once in the data.

Plateau. Coordinated attacks on commuters and communities across Jos South, Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs pushed incidents to the highest level nationally.

Rivers. About 37 suspected oil thieves died of fume inhalation at an illegal tapping point in Okrika. The event was logged twice, which accounts for most of the rise.

Kebbi. The NRCS/SEMA/MSF assessment recorded 73 deaths from recent bandit attacks, some of which may predate September. A Fulani-Kambari clash in Bagudo also killed 16.

Kaduna. Kidnappings and attacks on Kaduna State Vigilance Service personnel in Kubau and Ikara raised both incidents and fatalities. The deaths of five detainees in Sanga were reported three times.

Abia. Police recovered 28 human skulls and bones, suspected to belong to kidnapping victims, from criminal camps.

Delta. Incidents rose markedly. On 22 September, a traditional festival in Eku turned violent and three youths were shot dead.

Bauchi. Fatalities rose although incidents dipped. Police uncovered a suspect accused of serial kidnapping and rape, linked to up to 35 victims.

Oyo. Police exposed a child trafficking network in which six abducted children died in captivity.

Adamawa. Suspected Boko Haram raids on Gombi LGA villages on 6-7 September and attacks in Hong LGA raised fatalities.

Cross River. Incidents rose, and a speedboat travelling from Ikang towards Cameroon crashed, killing eight.

FCT. Incidents rose slightly, and reporting was dominated by trafficking cases such as the recovery of 16 children in Kwali.

Ekiti. Incidents rose modestly and included the alleged killing of a 25-year-old woman by her husband.

Katsina. Katsina is listed as deteriorated because incidents rose by 11 as bandits pushed into Dandume, Funtua and Bakori LGAs, even though fatalities fell by 64.

Borno. Fatalities fell steeply while Boko Haram (JAS) and ISWAP fought each other in Sambisa Forest, although the Wumbi booby-trap attack still killed five.

Zamfara. Fatalities fell sharply, but mass abductions continued, including about 50 women taken in Yargada, Maru LGA.

Sokoto. Fatalities fell substantially, although Rabah and Goronyo LGAs still saw deadly raids and mass abductions.

Anambra. Incidents and fatalities declined; flooding in Awka South was among the month's main incidents.

Osun. Incidents fell sharply. The most prominent event was the non-violent collapse of a foodstuff scheme in Osogbo.

Lagos. Incidents and fatalities fell, and reporting centred on immigration and anti-fraud enforcement.

Ogun. Incidents fell substantially, and the main reported event was a domestic case in Ifo LGA.

Kogi. Incidents and fatalities declined. The deadliest recorded event was a road crash in Kabba-Bunu LGA.

Edo. Fatalities fell, and the army rescued kidnap victims in Akoko-Edo.

Kano. Incidents and fatalities fell, although political thugs attacked a media vehicle after an APC rally.

Enugu. Incidents fell, but gunmen attacked a party meeting in Nkanu West.

Kwara. Incidents fell, although bandit threats forced more than 100 residents to flee a camp.

Jigawa. Incidents fell, and the main loss of life was a boat capsizing in Dutse LGA.

Gombe. Incidents fell, and a joint clearance operation in Dukku LGA rescued three kidnap victims.