Abstract:
This study investigated economies of violence in the Niger-Delta and its impact on regional security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). The study adopted the relative deprivation theory and posits that oil-rich Niger-Delta has massive mineral resources, however its extraction has resulted in inconsistencies, including environmental dangers and the denial of rights to oil-producing communities. This has led to oil violence where Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta(MEND)- a sub-group of militants in the Niger Delta armed struggle emerged with the objective to shut down the oil industry in Nigeria. The spate of violence made government to grant amnesty to the militants. Activities of MEND in post-amnesty period changed from massive destruction of oil facilities to kidnapping, piracy, oil theft, trade in hard drugs and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) in the Niger-Delta, growing local cult-related occurrences with spiral consequences extending the area of the Gulf of Guinea. Increase in piracy and kidnapping in post-amnesty activities of MEND with its regional networks in the GoG increases regional insecurity along the coastal lines leading to loss of revenue among member states in the Gulf of Guinea. This has huge ramifications for regional security, energy stability and trading partners of the Gulf of Guinea states. The study suggests strict prosecution and enforcement of anti-sabotage and piracy laws with punishment for those implicated in oil sabotage in Nigeria. More coordination between Gulf of Guinea and international oil partners is needed to tackle the demand and supply pull components of illegal oil trading.
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