Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ...
Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ... Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ...
Chapter IV: Fishers of Men: The Political Economy of Kidnapping in the Niger Delta Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on December 24, 2004 at Amatu, Ekeremoh Local council of Bayelsa State over SPDC’s breach of an MOU and also , when Mr. Ivan Roso, a Croatian was taken by militant youths at the Shell Sea Eagle floating crude oil production facility on December 26, 2004 over a similar breach by the same company. Youths from Odioma Community in Brass Local Council of Bayelsa State had earlier, on November 18, 2004, shut down and occupied SPDC’s 8,000 barrels a day flow station over violation of an MOU by SPDC. Following the Wilbros workers’ kidnap, especially since early 2006, militants and criminal gangs have been blamed for hundreds of kidnappings involving the payment of ransom, thereby, turning what began as a political weapon into a veritable economic activity and a new occupation for unemployed youths in the Niger Delta. In addition to expatriates, especially oil workers, who are classified as category A, by the kidnappers because of their high ransom value, victims have included Nigerian oil workers, family members of political office holders and wealthy Nigerians in category B and others in category C. Apart from the foreign staff of oil companies, the list includes expatriate staff of the German road construction giant, Julius Berger who were picked up in Port Harcourt while working on the East-West Road; Professor Nimi Briggs, former Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt and Chairman, Rivers State Electoral Commission who was abducted from 96
Dr. William Ehwarieme his home in the University; Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Idisi, wife of the Delta State-born Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lonestar,an indigenous oil servicing company who was abducted from her home at night in Port Harcourt; Mrs Daukoru, wife of former Petroleum Minister and now king of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State, Edmund Daukoru, kidnapped from her restaurant in Port Harcourt; and Elechi Amadi, the aged writer who was picked up from his home in Port Harcourt. In Delta state, the father of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who was abducted from his home in Agbor while relaxing after church service on a sunday is one of the most prominent cases. In Bayelsa State, victims have included Hansel Seiborugu, 70 year old mother of Wernipre Seiborugu, Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Pa Ebebi, father of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Chief Simon Ebebi. In Edo State, between January and April 2009, no fewer than 12 people were abducted including an aide to the State Governor, the wife of a serving Commissioner and a retired Army General, Major-General Peter Ademokhai who was abducted on Thursday, April 23 from his riverside farm in Ovia North East Council of the state. (The Guardian, Saturday, April 25, 2009, P.3). In most of the cases, the kidnappings usually ended without any casualties after a ransom is paid. However, there have been a few fatalities. For example, in Edo State, two kidnapped victims, a popular transporter, Godwin Ajere and a Benin-based millionaire and owner of 97
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Dr. William Ehwarieme<br />
his home <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> University; Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Idisi, wife <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Delta</strong> State-born Chief Executive Officer (CEO) <strong>of</strong> Lonestar,an<br />
<strong>in</strong>digenous oil servic<strong>in</strong>g company who was abducted from her home at<br />
night <strong>in</strong> Port Harcourt; Mrs Daukoru, wife <strong>of</strong> former Petroleum<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister and now k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Nembe K<strong>in</strong>gdom <strong>in</strong> Bayelsa State, Edmund<br />
Daukoru, kidnapped from her restaurant <strong>in</strong> Port Harcourt; and Elechi<br />
Amadi, <strong>the</strong> aged writer who was picked up from his home <strong>in</strong> Port<br />
Harcourt. In <strong>Delta</strong> state, <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Secretary to <strong>the</strong> State<br />
Government (SSG) Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who was abducted from his<br />
home <strong>in</strong> Agbor while relax<strong>in</strong>g after church service on a sunday is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most prom<strong>in</strong>ent cases. In Bayelsa State, victims have <strong>in</strong>cluded<br />
Hansel Seiborugu, 70 year old mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Wernipre Seiborugu, Speaker<br />
<strong>of</strong> Bayelsa State House <strong>of</strong> Assembly and Pa Ebebi, fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Bayelsa<br />
State Deputy Governor, Chief Simon Ebebi. In Edo State, between<br />
January and April 2009, no fewer than 12 people were abducted<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g an aide to <strong>the</strong> State Governor, <strong>the</strong> wife <strong>of</strong> a serv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Commissioner and a retired Army General, Major-General Peter<br />
Ademokhai who was abducted on Thursday, April 23 from his<br />
riverside farm <strong>in</strong> Ovia North East Council <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state. (The Guardian,<br />
Saturday, April 25, 2009, P.3).<br />
In most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cases, <strong>the</strong> kidnapp<strong>in</strong>gs usually ended without<br />
any casualties after a ransom is paid. However, <strong>the</strong>re have been a few<br />
fatalities. For example, <strong>in</strong> Edo State, two kidnapped victims, a popular<br />
transporter, Godw<strong>in</strong> Ajere and a Ben<strong>in</strong>-based millionaire and owner <strong>of</strong><br />
97
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