Ebonyi state is composed of 13 LGAs and its capital is Abakaliki city. The state’s estimated population was 2 880 383 in 2016.

In 2020, Ebonyi state experienced many communal confrontations related to conflicts over land and its resources. The main security actors were cults, unidentified gunmen, police services and herders and farmers. The local Government ordered the profiling of all herdsmen in the state and tasked a security outfit with providing security in the areas contested by herder-farmer conflicts. IPOB also has reported activity in the state.

In 2020 due to communal confrontations, residents were allegedly accosted, abducted, killed, beheaded or expelled from their homes. Furthermore, villages were evacuated by their residents for fear of being murdered by armed militia gangs and houses and properties were destroyed in attacks. Civilian fatalities have been also reported in the context of Fulani herdsmen and farmers crisis. During #EndSARS protests, policemen were killed or injured and police stations were burned by alleged IPOB members. IPOB denied the accusations. During cult clashes, fatalities were recorded.

During 2020, ACLED reported a total of 29 security incidents (10 battles, 14 cases of violence against civilians, 5 incidents of riots) in Ebonyi state (average of 0.6 security incident per week). Security incidents took place in 12 out of 13 LGAs, with the largest overall number (4) being recorded in the LGAs of Izzy and Ebonyi.

The abovementioned security incidents resulted in 37 deaths. Compared to the estimated population in the state, this represents approximately 1 fatality per 100 000 inhabitants.

From 1 January to 30 April 2021, ACLED reported a total of 17 security incidents (9 battles, 7 cases of violence against civilians, 1 incident of riots) in Ebonyi state (average of 1 security incident per week). These security incidents resulted in 82 deaths.

Information on the number of conflict-related IDPs and on the number of returnees in Ebonyi state could not be found.