FG Plans To Negotiate with The New Niger Delta Militants.

The Minister of Information and Culture with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, on Monday 23rd May 2016, said that the Federal Government was considering opening a dialogue with the Niger Delta militants in order to stop militancy in the region. Source: Vanguard News.

Opinion: This is a very dangerous moves. If the federal government is planning to negotiate with the new Niger Delta militants, then they should be prepared to negotiate with every other self determination group(s). Besides this attempt might put the government of President Buhari in a difficult situation. This might be an attempt to put his government on hostage by the Niger Delta Militants. What’s the guarantee that a new group will not emerge tomorrow and starts blowing up oil and gas installations. This is a no no issue.

Recall that the national President of National Coalition of  Niger Delta Ex Agitators, Mr Israel Akpodoro, had warned the federal government against, negotiating with the new militant groups, like the Niger Delta Avengers and Red Egbesu Water Lions. They believe they are criminal elements. Also the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a group of ex-militants, presently supports President Buhari, so President Buhari should rather work with Niger Delta groups that supports his government.

On his own, President Buhari should work with traditional rulers at the Niger Delta area to stop the militancy. Back up communities and local vigilantes with the military, in order to checkmate the militants.