Oil Resource as a Major Source of Insecurity in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract

Resource conflict in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has become hydra-headed despite the amnesty granted by the Federal Government in 2009. Historically, the discovery of oil in commercial quantity and its exploitation rather than become a blessing to the local communities have become a source of worry, tension, and contestation over resource control, environmental degradation, and minority marginalization. The government and multi-national companies exploring the oil resource are pitched against the minority oil communities. While the minority oil communities see oil as God’s gift for their benefit, the Nigerian state sees it as a gift to the geo-political entity called Nigeria. These different perspectives have engendered low and high intensity conflicts with the state using state-centric security strategies to suppress rebellion or opposition to oil exploitation. In view of this state centric approach to security problems in the Niger Delta, this paper examines the various asymmetric methods used by the militants to counter government’s state centric measures. It is revealed that militants use sabotage, vandalism, kidnapping, oil-bunkering, hostage taking, killings, assaults and disruption of oil business as asymmetric methods. While these asymmetric methods have forced government to put in palliative measures, it is discovered that Niger Delta still remains largely militarized. It is, thus, argued in this paper that only proper legislation on resource management in a democratic setting can solve the problem of resource conflict and insecurity in the area. It is suggested that the New Petroleum Industry Bill should be given accelerated hearing by the legislators to enhance local communities’ participation in oil business in Nigeria. Government also needs to develop Niger Delta area and address environmental challenges.

Keywords: Niger delta, Oil resource, Asymmetric method, Resource management, State-centric security