Nigeria must resolve Niger Delta crisis peacefully – US Mission

Nigeria

The United States Mission in Nigeria has waded into the recent upsurge of conflict in the Nigeria’s oil rich but ravaged Niger Delta region, calling for parties involved to ‘‘resolve their disputes through peaceful means,’‘ with emphasis on the need to protect the human rights of all Nigerians.

The U.S. Mission said it was monitoring reports of attacks and other incidents in the region and that it shared the concerns of all Nigerians about these attacks.

‘‘We continue to call on all Nigerians to persevere in efforts to achieve common goals: to end violence and curb the activities of criminal elements; to establish conditions and mechanisms for profound, positive, and lasting changes in the region; and to provide economic opportunity and needed services for residents of the Niger Delta,’‘ a statement from the US Mission read.

Renewed Attacks by Niger Delta Avengers

A group called the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), one akin to the erstwhile Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have in recent times attacked oil installations belonging to multinational companies like Shell, Chevron and Agip.

The NDA insist that they do not want any foreign companies operating in the region and would go as far as ground the country’s oil sector.

Their agitations continue despite the flagging off by the Nigerian government of the cleaning up of the Niger Delta region, which has over the years been polluted by the activities of oil companies.

Nigeria government to open talks with NDA

Reuters reports however that, Buhari has asked for dialogue to be opened with the Niger Delta Avengers, citing the country’s Minister for Petroleum, Emmanuel ibe Kachikwu.