Return Of Militancy In The Niger Delta

From what can be gleaned from media reports, there appears to be, of recent, renewed acts of militancy in the Niger Delta. Already, the security agencies are mobilising to try to nip the development in the bud.

It is difficult at this point to say, beyond conjecture, what gave rise to this revert to vandalising pipelines and other oil installations in that economically strategic part of the country.
Nigerians, worried at the situation and the response of the military, in particular, to it are appealing for caution in the handling of the matter. It is bad enough that the nation is not earning projected revenue from oil now as it used to, a crisis situation in that all – important sector at this time will be disastrous not just for the economy but also for the nation as a whole.

The youths in the Niger Delta region have not stopped lamenting the curse oil is deemed to be in their territory. The nation is conversant with the pervasive environmental degradation in that region as a result of oil spillage due to exploration and other related activities. Being mainly riverine, the economic wellbeing of the people of the region is essentially aqua-based. This has been tampered with in a manner that has thrown most of them out of their familiar economic activity.
This is not to suggest, however, that a resort to self-help is to be encouraged. To the best of our knowledge, the amnesty programme instituted by the Umar Yar’Adua administration is still in place and is providing alternative means of livelihood for, especially, the youths.
It is our candid view that instead of the ongoing military response, the government should explore to the fullest other peaceful ways of addressing whatever might have renewed the tempo of the militancy.
This suggestion, in our opinion, is even more valid now considering the fact that the nation is deploying enormous human and material resources in quelling insurgency in parts of the North East region of the country.
When added to the simmering restiveness in the South East over Biafra, the need for caution on the part of the federal government in the handling of the situation becomes exceedingly compelling. High-handedness has never proved effective in managing such regional flashpoints. Actually, if anything, it has led to the exacerbation of what started as youthful exuberance.
We are, also, reliably informed that the security agencies are breathing down the neck of known ex-militants and, in the process, inconveniencing other law abiding citizens in the area going about their daily chores.
The military have not quite overcome the human rights implications of some of their activities in the North East and, most recently, with a religious sect in Kaduna State. With these at the back of their minds, we think they should exercise restraint even in the face of provocation just as we acknowledge that in the execution of their constitutional role, anxiety not to be seen as ineffective may take the better part of officers and men.
To this extent, therefore, we argue in favour of constructive political engagement that will involve all stakeholders, especially the leaders of thought who, we imagine, may more likely be better equipped to handle such delicate matters. Military intervention, in our considered opinion, must be a last option. The precarious nature of the security situation in the country makes it an absolute good judgement to make haste slowly and, if necessary, err on the side of caution.