THE NIGER DELTA PEOPLE'S VOLUNTEER FORCE IN THE STRUGGLE FOR RESOURCE CONTROL IN THE NIGER DELTA

Abstract

The Niger Delta region is made up of many ethnic groups among which are Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko. Oil was officially discovered in commercial quantity in Oloibiri in 1956; this has turned the fortunes of the Nigerian economy for good. Expectedly, oil spillage and gas flaring are the major challenges confronting the people of the region. This has affected the delicate balance between man, land and water with the poverty, as people’s means of livelihood were affected. Agitations for resource control for the assurance of better standard of living by the people have remained rife. It graduated from peaceful dialogues to unrest, violence and chaos. It subsequently assumed a dangerous trend with the emergence of militant groups, leading to loss of lives and property and hardship on the inhabitants. Numerous attacks on the oil facilities tremendously reduced the production of crude oil as well as loss of revenue to the state on daily basis. Based on existing studies this paper examines the activities of Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), one of the armed militants groups fighting for the self-determination of the Black-Gold in the Niger Delta and the significance of their insurgence to the region.