Approaches to Counter-Terrorism: Lessons from Nigeria’s Niger-Delta Militancy

Abstract

The military era witnessed several attacks from Nigeria’s Niger-Delta militants, especially during General Sani Abacha’s regime to General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s led military government. The country suffered several attacks from the Niger-Delta region which comprises the oil-producing states from the said region. These attacks continued even during the return to civilian administration from the military-led government in May 1999. The country lost a lot of resources during the said period and there were attacks on foreign experts working with oil companies. Some foreign experts were kidnapped by the Niger-Delta militants. These militants destroyed oil facilities as well as government properties. The region was notorious for hostility, violence and use of arms. This research work made use of interviews as part of the qualitative design for collecting data. The findings from this work opined that the then government led by President Yar’Adua introduced an amnesty program that led to surrender of arms by the militants and it restored peace and security sustainability in the said region. After the amnesty program, the ex-militants were sent on studies to acquire knowledge through school. This research work implies that it can help if adopted in resolving conflict with terrorists in other affected countries.