Guerrilla Warfare Deepens In Niger-Delta

MEND’s Strategy Is Flawed

While the fact cannot be denied that the Niger Delta region, naturally endowed with oil in huge quantities, has nothing to show for it, MEND’s methods of seeking attention is also unwholesome. They should have realised by now that it will take more than sheer violence and terrorism to facilitate the desired change in the region. In fact, disrupting oil exploration activities as well as taking lives can become counter-productive.

Bamidele Jonathan,
Lokoja.

Isincerely believe it is high time Nigerians demanded for an answer to the big question of whether they are indeed safe in their country (”Guerilla Warfare Deepens In Niger-Delta,” TheNEWS, 29 September 2008 edition). This is because, if the military cannot put down a security challenge posed by the rag-tag groups in the Niger-Delta, how can they protect Nigerians against possible foreign attack?

Adamu Halidu,
Jos.

I belong to the school of thought that believes that the increasing attacks by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, in pursuance of a better deal for the region may eventually lead to another civil war, which I believe Nigeria is not prepared for.

Nuhu Muhammed,
Kaduna.

The war in the Niger Delta is just hotting up. Except we want to delude ourselves, the only way to true reconciliation is by embarking on real development of the region. For now, we still believe in tackling the problem with threat and half-hearted appeasement.

Amadi Karkah,
Port Harcourt.

The war mongers in the entire Niger Delta are the creation of politicians. The same politicians ensured that funds meant for development of the area ended up in their private pockets, and spent a miserable portion of their loot in arming the militants in a bid to rouse them into making trouble. This has now snowballed into unmanageable crisis. Until we focus attention on bringing all of these greedy politicians to justice, the crisis in the area will continue.

Godwin Odiri,
Effurun.

It is very unfortunate that the Niger Delta crisis his continued to degenerate despite all efforts to end it. I don’t want us to continue to trade blames; rather, we should all come together to pray for this nation. Honestly, it is only prayer that can solve most of the problems we are currently facing, especially the Niger-Delta crisis.

Dele Aloba,
Lagos.

The decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to set up a Ministry to take charge of the Niger Delta is belated. Realising that the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, could not deliver as a result of what the managers call inadequate funding, the need for a separate ministry was imminent.

Rachael Ajayi,
Port Harcourt.

Your story on the deepening guerilla warfare in the Niger Delta is an issue that requires urgent attention. The militants are seriously embarrassing Nigeria before the international community. The way they have been kidnapping expatriates and bombing oil installations clearly portray Nigeria as an unserious nation. I would like to encourage the military to intensify their efforts in dislodging them.

Subair Ibrahim,
Maiduguri.

Declaring war and attacking oil installations will not do any good to the indigenes of the Niger Delta. It is unfortunate that the same people who are craving for thorough development of the region also engage themselves in destroying facilities that are capable of yielding revenue that could ultimately bring development to the region.

Mustapha Abdulahi,
Gombe.

The present situation in the Niger Delta region demands that Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan intervenes by calling his people to order. There is an urgent need for him to dialogue with the militia leaders to find a lasting solution. Probably, his people may lend him a listening ear.

Titilayo Aderogba,
Lagos.

The creation of the Niger-Delta Ministry by the Yar’Adua administration cannot ensure that peace returns to that region. I want to assure everybody that this ministry would only aggravate the problems. This is because, the opportunity to get fatter allowances or ransom has become entrenched in the area and everybody is aware that civil servants are not honest enough as not to want to capitalise on the bureaucracy of the intended ministry to line their pockets.

Biodun Sobande,
Abeokuta.

The Niger Delta militants are indeed biting more than they can chew. Their attack of Elem-Tombia and other oil installations would certainly attract condemnation from those on behalf of whom they claim to be fighting. I had expected them to down their weapons just to see what the new Niger Delta Ministry holds in store for them.

Edet Imebong,
Uyo.

That Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has decided not to negotiate with the militants is a good development. The major reason the activities of the militants have been gaining prominence in the Niger-Delta is the way past government functionaries had been treating them with kid gloves. There is no doubt, the criminal activities of the militants have betrayed their so-called fight for resource control.

Magdalene Mackintosh,
Port Harcourt.

The solution that former president Olusegun Obasanjo embarked on that led to continuous instability and political crisis as well as under-development in the Niger Delta is what Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s illegitimate regime is carrying on with: The policy of non-negotiation with the people that own the oil resources, killing of the owners of the land, non-rehabilitation of Nigeria’s power sector and roads nationwide. PDP, Obasanjo and President Umar Yar’Adua have failed the country. Nigerians should therefore strive hard to rescue their nation from inept and incompetent looters, embezzlers and killers.

Dr. Pat Kolawole Boboye,
Canada.

There is only one solution to the Niger Delta problem; not just a good one, but the right and just solution. God in His wisdom has blessed us as a nation and all we need to do is ask for wisdom to administer the resources that He has endowed us with. If in His wisdom, He made oil and gas abundant in a region, it is my sincere belief that he expects these resources to be a blessing to the inhabitants and not a curse. He expects us to flourish with his blessings. If I were Mr. President, I would ensure that the Niger Delta area gets good and qualitative education. God expects our leaders to think a little deeper and positively exploit the benefits of these resources, ensuring that multinationals open big offices and industries in the region, thereby providing employment to many Nigerians and not just for the people of the region. Let Shell build offices, Chevron hospitals, Mobil schools. Other big companies in the region should make open declarations of endowing the regions with laudable projects and plans. At the federal government level, let the region get a better portion of what is being generated from the area. There must be continual dialogue, based on action plans. If we fail to do these, we will be in trouble.

Ogbonna I. Young,
Canada.

The joy of every Nigerian is to see peace return to the Niger Delta. I was happy when I read the news of ceasefire in the region. I expect the federal government to make sure that everything is done to avert a future breakdown of law and order. Nothing compares to peace and we hope this time around, the stakeholders will find a lasting solution to the problems.

Abdulazeez Adeniyi,
South Africa.

This Niger Delta militants versus the Federal Government debacle is fast degenerating considering the toll it is beginning to take on the people of the region. By now, government should have arrived at a more civilised and amicable resolution with these people rather than resorting to heightened violence.

Omoruru Olobia,
Asaba.

By virtually declaring war on the militant Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, through the Joint Military Task Force, this government has simply underlined its inability to manage crisis situations.

Joseph Orimolade,
Abeokuta.

It will not exactly be surprising to me if the Yar’Adua administration cannot find a solution to the Niger Delta crisis. Thus far, this government has been unable to tackle any of our major problems successfully – from the dwindling electricity supply to infrastructure dilapidation and worsening health sector. At this rate, with crisis in the region taking a turn for the worse, the guerilla warfare is not likely to abate anytime soon.

Pius Etekpo,
Port Harcourt.

The Niger Delta militants cannot be blamed for the apparent lack of peace in the region. I blame the Nigerian government for the whole crisis. The people of the Niger Delta have been ill-treated for too long, yet it is the treasure base of the nation.

Jide Ayoola,
Oyo.

Nigeria is losing too much money to the crisis in the Niger Delta. While it is true that a lot of the so-called militants are criminals, the fact remains that the people of the Niger Delta have no choice but to fight back and try to get what they deserve from the Nigerian state.

Istifanus Musa,
Jos.

If a solution is not found to the problem, these militants will destroy the Nigerian economy. Something must be done to placate the region’s restive youths.

Steve Chukwuemeka,
Awka.

I don’t know what the government aims to achieve with the latest onslaught on the Niger Delta militants. Inasmuch as the militants would suffer casualties, the government can never win the fight. In fact, the country’s oil production will suffer, as insecurity in the region would force oil workers to run for cover. The militants have nothing to lose but the government has a lot.

Timi Dakore,
Lagos.

I think the new Chief of Army Staff, is just trying to impress the president following his appointment. His attitude will not put an end to the crisis.

Femi Adesina,
Akure.

The federal government has done the right thing for once by taking the fight to the militants in the Niger Delta region. The actions of the militants who go about committing atrocities in the region in the name of fighting for the betterment of the region have been a disgrace.

Amos Akpan,
Benin.

What the government is doing in the Niger Delta region is long overdue. But my concern is whether the government would be able to sustain it and beat the militants to their game. The earlier the militants are put in their place, the better for the region and the country.

Timothy Izechukwu,
Enugu.

Police Online Recruitment

The Nigeria Police Force is sure moving with the time. The usual trend was for them to collect all manner of bribe from motorists and whoever was unfortunate enough to end up in their stations. Now, they have moved on-line to fleece hapless applicants for recruitment of money they can ill-afford.

Emeka Elechi,
Lagos.