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

Egbadju Obukohwo Abraham
Government’s best has not been good enough in the estimation
of the Niger Delta people. They want more and are determined to fight,
no matter the cost. But this will cost the entire region relative peace,
with spill-over effects to the rest parts of the country in one way or the
other.
It is the conclusion of this paper that the end to the oil-related
crisis in the Niger Delta is not in sight yet.
Recommendations
To resolve the Niger Delta oil-related crisis and the security
contradictions, this paper recommends as follows:
1 The Nigerian government should at all time assume and
maintain a paternalistic posture. That way the government
must be genuinely committed to the protection and security of
Nigerians living in the oil producing region. Resorting to killing
Nigerians in the oil producing communities whenever there was
over-stretched agitation should not be considered as a good
option at all; no matter the level of the local people’s agitation.
Already, the people and their land have been impoverished, they
are poverty stricken and frustrated. To react, they way they are
doing now should be expected.
2 There is need for the leaders in the oil-bearing communities to
toe the line of honour to meet these irate youths and other
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