Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ...

Dr. Laz Etemike
MEND’s major demands were as follows:
i. That Asari-Dokubo be released unconditionally,
ii.
iii.
That DSP Alamieyeseigha be also released.
Payment of compensation by shell to communities affected by
its spillages.
iv.
That the Niger Delta people be allowed to control their
resources.
v. That all prisoners of the Niger Delta origin hold by the Nigerian
government on account of fighting for justice in the Niger Delta
be released.
The Complexity of the Niger Delta Problem
The present spats of kidnapping and insecurity in the Niger
Delta could therefore be traced to the history of agitation against the
Nigerian state and its collaboration with the multinational companies
to exploit and marginalize the peoples of the region. That the actions
of the past has degenerated to the level of criminality is an indication
that the Nigerian state, its people and its ruling elite have failed to
appreciate the problems of the region and to find lasting solutions to
these problems. It simply imply that uptil now what government has
done are mere palliatives, that did not touch on the main existing
problems.
On the other hand the level of criminality going on in the Niger
Delta is condemnable. One do not cut his nose to spite his face while
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