Government-appointed human rights commission reported on abuses 1966-1999 after 2-year delay; recommended 3 former military leaders, including potential candidate in 2007 elections, General Babangida, be investigated for killings and excluded from politics. Opponents claimed Obasanjo regime increasingly dictatorial; leader of president’s own People’s Democratic Party quit 11 January amid rivalries over party nomination for 2007 election. Obasanjo announced 3-month national conference to debate constitutional reform; opposition figures claimed move designed to circumvent National Assembly. National police chief resigned 18 January over suspected corruption; separately, UK authorities said newly re-instated governor of Plateau province may be charged with money-laundering.

Renewed violence in Rivers state. Kula community villagers, accusing oil companies Shell and Chevron-Texaco of exploiting resources without sharing wealth, occupied 3 facilities for 3 days, preventing flow of 90,000 barrels per day. Shell in dispute with federal parliament, which has demanded $1.5b pay-out to Ijaw community of Bayelsa state to compensate for oil spills. Newly reinstated governor of Plateau region accused of corruption; supporters claimed vendetta from President Obasanjo.

Low-level sporadic violence continued across country, while repeat of October general strike averted by 10% fuel price cut. Fragile truce held in oil-rich Delta province, but 2 Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force rebels reported killed in militia violence early November. Rebels ceased cooperation with government-backed disarmament committee 16 November, claiming bias in favour of rival Niger Delta Vigilantes militia. Tear gas used to disperse Ogoni ethnic group protesters Port Harcourt 24 November; Ogoni protest military presence in Ogoniland, blamed on Shell. Fear of violence in Warri, Delta state led to postponement of 27 November local elections until 2 December. Local dispute between governor and Anambra state power-broker led to violence southeastern Nigeria, killing 27. President Obasanjo sought to remove Plateau governor accused of corruption; state of emergency imposed May following 600 deaths in Yelwa massacre lifted.

Four-day general strike 11-14 October over 25% fuel price hike led to arrest of Adams Oshiomhole, president of Nigerian Labour Congress. Nineteen bodies exhumed Kaduna, central Nigeria; locals claimed bodies of those killed by police in strike riots. Further strikes threatened. Five men, including Obasanjo using Stinger surface-to-air missile. In separate developments, self-styled “Taliban” militants attacked 60 policemen near Kala-Balge, northeastern Nigeria, 8 October, killing 3. Situation in Rivers State remained volatile, though 30 September truce holding. Delays over handover of oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon continued in face of opposition from Bakassi residents and Nigerian parliamentarians. State government-appointed committee said 53,000 died in inter-communal violence Plateau state September 2001 to May 2004.

Violence worsened around Port Harcourt oil-rich Rivers state. Separatist Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) said government corrupt and warned crackdown on turf wars would result in attacks on oil installations. Some 500 reported killed since August. NDPVF leader Moujahid Dokubo- Asari flew to Abuja 29 September for talks with President Obasanjo; temporary truce 30 September. Neighbouring Delta State tensions between Ijaw and Itsekiri remained high with Ijaw allegations of military harassment. Six killed in Al Sunna wal Jamma Islamic group attack on Borno state police station northeastern Nigeria 20 September; army reported 27 militants killed 24 September. Government delayed handover of parts of oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon.

President Obasanjo visited Yelwa, Plateau state, site of Christian-Muslim clashes May 2004 and where state of emergency continues, opening month-long peace conference 18 August. Darfur peace talks continued in Abuja under Nigerian President Obasanjo, current African Union (AU) chair. Nigerian parliament gave authority to send up to 1,500 Nigerian troops to Darfur 19 August. Three died in clashes in oil-rich Port Harcourt 28-29 August.

Tensions remained high in Nigeria, but flare-ups of ethno-religious violence that left hundreds dead in central states in recent months have subsided. In southern oil-rich Delta province, Ijaw militia leader Asari Dokubi said 11 fighters killed in Port Harcourt shoot-out. Dokubi disputes June peace agreement with Itsekiri and claims Delta independence. In positive development, Nigeria and Cameroon began land transfers along disputed border.

Situation calmed somewhat since May, though tensions remain high. Seven killed in communal Muslim/Christian violence in Numan, Ademawa state 9 June. Limited success of disarmament initiative central Plateau state despite strong financial incentive. Soldiers shot 2 villagers 24 June. Deal brokered in southern Nigerian Delta province between Ijaw and Itsekiri groups 23 June, though some internal Ijaw dissent led to doubts over viability of deal.

Significant deterioration in security situation with massacre of 600 Hausa and Fulani Muslims by local Tarok Christians in Plateau town of Yelwa 2 May. Massacre sparked further violence in Plateau, Kano and Kebbi states of central and northern Nigeria leading to displacement of 57,000. President Obasanjo declared parliament-backed state of emergency in Plateau in attempt to end “near mutual genocide” 18 May; sacked state governor and legislature prompting memories of military rule. Emergency rule not yet effective in preventing further violence in Plateau villages. Government-appointed governor General Chris Alli gave militia groups until 7 June to surrender illegal weapons. Opposition marches calling Obasanjo’s government “civilian dictatorship” disrupted by police 3 and 16 May.

Increasing unrest in Niger Delta and worsening sectarian violence in centre and north. Seven oil workers and guards, including 2 U.S. workers, killed in ambush in Delta 23 April by Ijaw militants. Five Ijaw assailants killed 17 April trying to storm oil facility. Government responded by launching military offensive against militants. Protesters forced another oil facility to close briefly 14 April. More than 100 believed killed in sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians in remote central villages 27 April, with thousands forced to flee. In north, Muslims razed several Christian churches and police station early April.