CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                                                                         1          

1.1       Background to the Study                                                                                1

1.2       Statement of Problem                                                                                     4

1.3       Objectives of the Study                                                                                  6

1.4       Research Questions                                                                                        7

1.5       Significance of the Study                                                                               7

1.6       Scope of the Study                                                                                          7

1.7       Limitation of the Study                                                                                   8

1.8       Methodology                                                                                                  8

1.9       Definition of Terms                                                                                        8

CHAPTER TWO                                                                                                        9

2.0       Theoretical Overview                                                                                     9

2.1       Classical Modernity Theory                                                                           9

2.2       Frustration-Aggression Theory                                                                      10

2.3       Structural Conflict Theory                                                                              12

2.4       Crisis in Niger Delta Regions                                                                         13

2.5       Causes of militants’ activities in the Niger Delta of Nigeria                         18

2.6       Development and Socio-Cultural Implications of the Crisis                         20

2.7       Factors Responsible for the Niger Delta Crisis                                              21

2.8       The Niger Delta Crisis and its Implication on National 

            Development                                                                                                  30

2.9       Security Implication of the Crisis                                                                   30

CHAPTER THREE                                                                                                    33

3.1       Militant Insurgency and Security Threat in Nigeria                                      33

3.2       The Complexity of the Niger Delta Problem                                                 36

CHAPTER FOUR                                                                                                      39

4.1       Measures to End Domestic Terrorism in the Niger Delta                              39

4.1.1    Redistributive Policies                                                                                    39

4.2       Reorganization Policies                                                                                  42

4.3       Regulatory/Repressive Policies                                                                      43

CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations                            47

5.1       Summary                                                                                                        47

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                      49

5.3       Recommendations                                                                                          49

References                                                                                                                  51

This study examine the Niger Delta Crisis and National Security in Nigeria. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has witnessed ethnic, communal and political unrest since 1990s. As well are incessant attacks on oil installations, hostage taking and general atmosphere of insecurity at both the communal and organisational levels. The crisis in the Niger Delta arises from the injustice in the relations formed around oil extraction activities and injustice in the appropriation of the huge oil revenues from the area. It is thus a crisis of underdevelopment and the people in the region have been involved in demonstrations, petition writing, armed struggle, shutting of oil production activities, agitation for true federalism and resource control as well as compensation for ecological damage. This process is compounded by the entrance of kidnappers, criminals, syndicates, militancy and gangs who claim to be pursuing the interests of the people but their mode of operations does not give credence to this assertion. The study expatiated the causes of crisis in the Niger Delta region, it also emphasized more on the implication of the Niger Delta Crisis on Nation Security in Nigeria. At the end, the research findings showed that the Niger Delta crisis is the result of many factors among which are the desire of the people of the region to control their resources, the activities of multinational oil companies in the region which cause environmental hazards, corrupt activities of Niger Delta elites who embezzle funds meant for development; and obnoxious laws by the Nigerian government. Efforts of successive Nigerian governments to put an end to the crisis have not been a complete success despite the amnesty programme. Meanwhile, the crisis continue to have an adverse effects on Nigeria’s security and external relations and as a result, recommendations are made on the need for dialogue, involvement of host communities in decision making, rapid socio-economic development and revenue transparency among others so as to put an end to the crisis. Measures should also be geared up to properly integrate indigenous youths in the mainstream of production to attain sustainability, growth and development.