How Hausa Fulani intentionally attacked Niger Delta Zone because of Oil during the Nigerian Civil War and the emergence of Militancy.

By Ifeanyi Baron

The people of the Niger Delta sustained heavy suffering and many deaths during the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970. The entire Niger Delta became a major war zone as the Nigerian Army fought and pushed Biafran soldiers out of the region and deep into Biafran territory, leading to the end of the war. Over one million Niger Deltans died during the war. Present-day Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, and Delta State sustained most of the casualties, while Rivers State and Cross River State were also severely affected. 

The loss of lives began when Biafran soldiers invaded the Niger Delta at the start of the war; many Niger Delta community leaders were eliminated, as the region was mainly on the side of the Federal Government. Many children and adults died due to starvation and disease, and as casualties of war.

Non-violent resistance

See also: Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People

The next phase of resistance in the Niger Delta saw the request for justice and the end of marginalization of the area by the Nigerian government with Ken Saro Wiwa as the lead figure for this phase of the struggle. The indigents cried for lack of developments even though the Nigerian oil money is from the area. They also complained about environmental pollution and destruction of their land and rivers by oil companies. Ken Saro Wiwa and other leaders were killed by the Nigerian Federal Government under Sani Abacha.

Recent armed conflict

Unfortunately, the struggle got out of control, and the present phase has become militant.

When long-held concerns about loss of control over resources to the oil companies were voiced by the Ijaw people in the Kaiama Declaration in 1998, the Nigerian government sent troops to occupy the Bayelsa and Delta states. Soldiers opened fire with rifles, machine guns, and tear gas, killing at least three protesters and arresting twenty-five more

Since then, local indigenous activity against commercial oil refineries and pipelines in the region have increased in frequency and militancy. Recently foreign employees of Shell, the primary corporation operating in the region, were taken hostage by outraged local people. Such activities have also resulted in greater governmental intervention in the area, and the mobilisation of the Nigerian army and State Security Service into the region, resulting in violence and human rights abuses.

In April, 2006, a bomb exploded near an oil refinery in the Niger Delta region, a warning against Chinese expansion in the region. MEND stated: "We wish to warn the Chinese government and its oil companies to steer well clear of the Niger Delta. The Chinese government, by investing in stolen crude, places its citizens in our line of fire."

Government and private initiatives to develop the Niger Delta region have been introduced recently. These include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a government initiative, and the Development Initiative (DEVIN), a community development non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta. Uz and Uz Transnational, a company with strong commitment to the Niger Delta, has introduced ways of developing the poor in the Niger Delta, especially in Rivers State.

In September 2008, MEND released a statement proclaiming that their militants had launched an "oil war" throughout the Niger Delta against both, pipelines and oil-production facilities, and the Nigerian soldiers that protect them. Both MEND and the Nigerian Government claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on one another.

In August 2009, the Nigerian government granted amnesty to the militants; many militants subsequently surrendered their weapons in exchange for a presidential pardon, rehabilitation programme, and education.

List of massacred Niger Delta towns by Hausa Fulani Soldiers During the civil war Asaba massacre 7 October 1967 Asaba, Delta Up to 500 men Occurred during Biafran Civil War Other town in Niger delta massacred in the Civil war includes Ogwuachukuw, Ubuluku, Iseluku, Kwale, Obiaruku, Agbo, Ibusa, Oshimili, Yenagua, Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, Ikot-Abasi, Abak and Oron Odi massacre 20 November 1999 Odi, Bayelsa State 2,500 Nigerian military attacked the village of Odi, as part of the Conflict in the Niger Delta.

Now Fulani / Hausa are 80% owners of Oil well in Niger Delta Zone, while the people of Niger Delta are tenants in their communities working for the feudal lords who do not invest in Niger Delta.

in 2016, The northerner leaders are trying to gain total control of the Niger delta Zone through the use of the Islamic Fulani herdsmen. An the present day Government led by Buhari keeps mute about it.

As we know ...................SILENT IS CONSENT !!!