The JTF's offensive on militants in the Niger Delta has been condemned by some groups while some others are in support of it.One can not but ask why there's so much chaos in the Niger Delta region of the country despite the fact that the area's crude is presently Nigeria's economic backbone.It can almost be said of Nigeria "no crude,no Nigeria" as can be said of river Nile and Egypt.Nigerian government should be most grateful to this region's rich oil lands.As a sign of gratitude the FG's expected to put development measures in place for the area.I mean, that's how it should be.The place should probably be the most developed region in the country.But unfortunately,the reverse is the case,why?Is it that the government isn't showing any gratitude or at least help develop the area as they are equally nigerians as every other citizen of this great country of ours.Is the Niger Delta marginalized?
From what I can gather,instead of retreating or surrendering to peaceful settlement of issues,these militants are actually regrouping and acquiring more arms to proceed,isn't that crazy?Do they not realized that they are fighting against the Federation?Must they be told before they see to it that they don't stand a chance to win at all,and by the way how do they get all the guns and ammunitions that gives them the courage to take on a professionally trained army personnels for this long, non stop and are still ready to continue?Too many things doesn't seem right here.Let us start the discussion by answering a major Question which is "Why do we have militant groups all over the Niger Delta Region?
I don't know for you but I know that these groups are meant to be pressure groups who are to bring the sufferings of the common people of the region to the Federal government's attention which isn't wrong.These pressure groups are said to have existed as far back as the 80s and have gotten very little attention from the FG.Due to petroleum exploration in the area,a very devastating damage was made to the soil and water of this local and peasant people of the region.The soil cannot not grow crops as the fish of their waters are killed due to occasional oil spillage which are not treated and taken care off as expected.People of the area who are majorly fishermen find it difficult to earn a living fishing,fishes are dying,soil is un-cultivable life's getting more difficult for these people and no help from the government is coming through,now thats a very bad situation that's unacceptable from the FG to that I quite agree.But my problem with them is the method they implore to make their grieviences known - the use force!
Irrespective of whatever could have happened,force should be struck out of their plans,I repeat no matter what!
This is because of the evil effect of such method on those using it and those its being used upon.Now,if I'm not mistaken the crisis began as far back as when oil was discovered in the region,which means that the unrest is since the late 70s and has lingered on till date.Everyone knows the kind of government that has been in power for the better part of those years,military government.You are also aware of how strictly the military takes hierarchy of authority,their whole existence depend on it - "obey the last order".You'll get a better grip of what I'm talking about if you have gone through the NYSC.
The military is dictator in nature ,so,when they rule,they brought to play dictatorship of the highest order.Like I said,their existence depends on it.It will be very stupid to take arms against them as we all know that,they live and die by the force,thats why they are referred to as "the armed forces",to them force is normal,to obey without questions is their culture,their way of life.Most unlike us,the civilians who are free to choose what we like,soldiers are to follow ONLY the dictates of their superiors even if they disagree with it.For a civil group of people to go to war with those who are made for war will only spell doom for such people and that's why things had gone that bad with the Niger Delta people.Instead of ironing things out in the most amicable manner,which is the way of civilians,they have gone to war with them.They have gone to war with the wrong set of people and for that reason,they have suffered even more neglect couple with the continuous petroleum exploration.The militants grew in popularity and in population
just as they get farther and even more farther from what they are really fighting for-government's considerations.With the very good part of their population not in school,ilitracy and ignorance are the order of the day.You know how it is,with so many kept in the dark,they are easy to manipulate and tossed around for the selfish interest of mischievous "enlightened" minority who really don't care about their welfare,they see their people as tools and means of achieving their selfish goals.Thats the picture of what is going on in the Niger Delta.I have my reasons.
"We learn how to talk not how to fight" is the literary meaning of an adage in Yoruba.When applied to the issue of Niger Delta,had it being that Niger Delta leaders have "unconditionally" adopted the dialog approach all these years,they would have been better of today. "words they say,can withdraw kola from the pocket just as it can withdraw a sword from its sheath"(another adage).Even the most cruel man on earth finds it hard to strike another that has always acknowledged his powers and capabilities.If you need attention you call for it you don't force it!
It is their land for sure but they must understand those they are dealing with,the military!On a good day,soldiers are not the type who turn down a challenge,they love challenges,they love threats,they never succum to pressure.They walk head high always,never to be intimidated.This is their business,this is what they do and they are never wrong.You can only persuade them to take to your idea not to force it on them.This I believe has been the major problem of the military juntas of the past with the militants of the Niger Delta.You don't proof to be tough when you deal with soldiers not even when they are wrong even when its glaring,they never wrong.You can only try make them see reason with you and making it clear that it is only a suggestion NOT A COMMAND!Unless you do this,you'll get no where with soldiers.This I'm afraid,the Niger Delta leaders refuse to understand.That was under the military right?Let see how they faired under the civil rule.
Civil rule began,big time in Nigeria May 1999 with Obasanjo as the President.We all know what we expected as a country from his reign especially when he narrowly escaped death by the whiskers in the hands of Abacha.We also know what we got,talking of the petroleum resources of the country which never had a Minister.I don't want to go into the dirty details but everyone will agree with me that none has paid so much attention to resolving the Niger Delta issue as the Yar'adua's administration.
Vice President of Yar'adua hails from the region,the NDDC ,exclusive 13% extra allocation to the crude producing states of the region and now they got a whole ministry to their credit all in the name of settling the scores yet it is still not enough,my God what do these people want!!!
Imagine other regions of the country coming up to claim a ministries too,how would we fair as a country?All this stuffs are given away by the government yet,we still hear of kidnap of expatriates in the region by the militants demanding for ransoms every now and then.The pressure groups,traditional rulers,LGA chairmen and governors of the region has not seen it as a problem .They have kept mute over the issue,neither condemning nor working together to fight the menace,it is now that the Federal Government came up with a drastic solution,all this while, they never see oil bunkering,the militants and the uncontrolled kidnapping cases in the area as threats to their peaceful existence,they never realized that their inaction can lead to this.Well,if they didn't,they are to accept it as their failure as leaders of their people,let it be known to every one concerned that the JTF's offensive is as a result of the failure of the Niger Delta leaders!
It began with the Ijaw communities of Delta state with Warri on verge of losing their hosting rights of the world soccer fiesta that is going to be held in Nigeria on security grounds.Bayelsa residents have been reported to repel militant occupation of their communities with stack warnings to the militants.Gaskia, Wallahi I'm in support of the offensive just as I'm terribly sorry for the impact of the attack on the common people of the area who are inevitably the most hit of all.This post would not be complete without suggestion of possible ways to resolve the issue for good,I would give this in the light of my experience as a Youth Corp member in the area.
* Education
People in this area are ignorant of their rights,they don't know them or how to get them.As far as they are concerned there's nothing they can do about the deplorable ways they live,Federal Government has neglected them to rot away and their governors,LGA chairmen legislatures and all others in authority in their respective states owe them no responsibilities but the Federal Government and Federal Government alone.I mean how can you explain the recent storming of the national assembly by women from the region? They are ignorant of impeachment protocols they can't even relate freely with the closest man in government to them,the local government chairman who they see everyday.They kind of "worship" these people,they can't even confront them and whatever they say is what they take and believe(this issue of education shall be discuss in full in later issues).Something need to be done in this respect.
*Engagement of State Security Service (SSS) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police in the area.
They are to commence investigation into the case,they should be mandated to find out who buy and supply the militants ammunition as it is hard to marry poverty with the multi million DOLLAR ammunition supply to the region.A revolver alone can cost up to $1 500 and we are talking of semi and automatic machine guns here.Some thing's wrong somewhere,some one big some where is benefiting from the crisis.To end this war for good we need to deal with the source,we need to fish out the big money bags involved.This is only attainable by a thorough investigation.
*Leaders of the region are to be held responsible by the Federal Government.
If Yar'adua is to get rid of the crisis for good,it is high time he start thinking of placing sanctions on governors of the warring areas.Very stiff sanctions should put in use against such governors if possible,they should be dragged to court on grounds of conspiracy against the country.If this done,they'll seat up and co operate with the FG to resolve the issue,for lasting solution to the crisis,they must be involved.
I got a lot to say on the issue Wallahi,But I think you,dear readers too have something or the other to contribute.Please leave a comment or two for me below as your comments are like lifelines to this blog.So go ahead,leave a comment today,drop a line!
regards,
Abdurrahman,
http://www.moneymakingmachine-alchemy007.blogspot.com,
http://www.jainx.bravehost.com
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