See the havoc caused by the discovery of oil in Nigeria

Summary

The video script delves into the Niger Delta's struggle over oil, highlighting the violent conflict between local gangs and the Nigerian government. It exposes the corruption and poverty that plague the region despite its vast oil reserves. The script details the transformation of criminal gangs into political movements demanding resource control and the impact of this unrest on global oil prices. It also discusses the government's response to the crisis, including military action and an amnesty for militants, and the ongoing challenges of corruption and the lack of basic amenities for the region's inhabitants.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ The Niger Delta is plagued by violence as various gangs, including the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, fight for control over the region's oil resources.
• 🏙️ Abuja, the capital, is threatened by the gangs who are demanding a fair share of the oil profits, highlighting the disparity between the wealth generated and the poverty of the locals.
• 🏚️ The script describes the Niger Delta as a region with vast oil reserves but also with widespread poverty, where people live on less than a dollar a day despite the wealth from oil exports.
• 🚤 The oil industry's impact on the Niger Delta includes environmental damage, with oil spills and pollution affecting local communities and their livelihoods.
• 🗣️ There is a growing resentment towards oil companies and the government, with some leaders advocating for the return of oil control to the people and the removal of foreign companies.
• 🛑 The script mentions the use of violence and criminal activities by gangs to extort money and resources, including theft of crude oil and protection rackets.
• 💥 The conflict in the Niger Delta has escalated to the point where it threatens the stability of the nation and the global oil market, with potential to increase oil prices significantly.
• 🏛️ The government's response to the situation has been criticized as insufficient and corrupt, with allegations of collusion between officials and oil companies at the expense of the people.
• 🛑 There are reports of military involvement in suppressing protests and supporting oil companies, leading to human rights abuses and further alienation of the local population.
• 📉 The script suggests that despite the end of military dictatorship, the situation for the Niger Delta's people has not improved, with ongoing poverty and political corruption.
• 🔄 The final takeaway is the cyclical nature of the conflict, where violence and corruption perpetuate each other, and the lack of a clear solution or improvement in sight for the region.

Q & A

What is the Niger Delta people's volunteer force?

The Niger Delta people's volunteer force is an outlaw militia that is part of the many gangs in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria, waging a violent battle for a share of the region's oil wealth.

Why are the gangs in the Niger Delta region rebelling against the government?

The gangs are rebelling due to the perception that the oil industry has brought little benefit to the local people, while enriching politicians and Western oil companies, leading to widespread poverty and resentment.

What is the role of Asari Dokubo in the Niger Delta conflict?

Asari Dokubo is a self-styled Liberation Army leader who has turned his gang into a political force, demanding that oil be given back to the people and threatening to take the fight to the capital, Abuja.

What is the impact of the oil industry on the Niger Delta region's environment and people?

The oil industry has led to environmental pollution and degradation, with oil spills affecting local communities. It has also resulted in widespread poverty, despite the region's vast oil reserves.

How has the government responded to the protests and violence in the Niger Delta?

The government has tried to suppress the protests and violence with military force, including the use of tear gas and other means. However, it has also attempted to negotiate with the rebels, offering amnesty and disarmament in exchange for peace.

What is the issue of 'bunkering' in the Niger Delta?

Bunkering is the illegal practice of tapping oil directly from pipelines and transporting it to offshore tankers. It is believed to involve a significant amount of the region's oil output and is often linked to corruption and violence.

What are the living conditions like in the Niger Delta, particularly in Port Harcourt?

Many people in the Niger Delta, including in Port Harcourt, live in absolute poverty on less than a dollar a day, with inadequate access to basic amenities like electricity and water.

What was the outcome of the conflict between the Nigerian military and Asari Dokubo's forces?

The conflict ended with a truce, where the Nigerian government agreed to pardon Asari Dokubo and his fighters and to buy back their weapons in an attempt to restore peace.

What is the current situation of the people living in the shantytowns near oil companies?

The people living in shantytowns near oil companies face forced evictions, demolition of their homes, and a lack of support from the government, leading to homelessness and further poverty.

How do the actions of the government and oil companies affect the people's trust in them?

The actions of the government and oil companies, including forced evictions, pollution, and perceived corruption, have eroded the trust of the people in the Niger Delta, leading them to seek alternative voices like Asari Dokubo.

What is the stance of the government on the issue of corruption in the Niger Delta?

The government has set up an anti-corruption commission targeting senior political figures in response to the widespread corruption in the region, although the effectiveness of this measure is yet to be seen.

Outlines

00:00

🏴‍☠️ Niger Delta's Violent Oil Struggle

The first paragraph introduces the Niger Delta's violent conflict over oil, where gangs like the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, led by a figure named Asari, fight for a share of the region's oil wealth. The script describes a funeral in Oh Dagger II village for a fallen gang member, highlighting the presence of weapons and drugs amidst supposed peace and disarmament. It also touches on the broader impact of the oil industry on the region, with wealth concentrated among politicians and oil companies while the local population remains impoverished. The script mentions Reverend Kia Gavazzi's work in Port Harcourt and the plight of communities facing demolition for luxury housing estates, illustrating the stark contrast between the oil industry's profits and the living conditions of the people.

05:03

🛑 Asari's Rebellion and the Oil Industry's Impact

This paragraph delves into the political evolution of Asari, who transformed his gang into a Liberation Army demanding the return of oil rights to the people. It discusses the history of violence in the Niger Delta, the shift from criminal activities to political rebellion, and the influence of figures like Ken Saro-Wiwa. The paragraph also addresses the environmental devastation caused by oil spills and the government's and Shell's responses to the crisis. It highlights the governor of Rivers State's denial of involvement in oil theft, known as bunkering, and the lack of action against it, despite its significant impact on the region's oil output and the funding of rebellions.

10:06

🚨 The Human Cost of the Oil Conflict

The third paragraph focuses on the human cost of the conflict, detailing the experiences of civilians caught in the crossfire between the military and rebel groups. It recounts the story of a woman who survived a military attack on her village, which resulted in numerous casualties and allegations of rape. The paragraph also discusses the broader implications of the conflict on the Niger Delta's people, who face increasing poverty and a lack of basic services despite the region's oil wealth. It ends with a critique of the government's response to the crisis, including the use of military force to suppress protests and the lack of accountability for election fraud.

15:07

📉 The Aftermath of the Oil Conflict and Its Resolution

This paragraph describes the aftermath of the oil conflict, including the amnesty granted to Asari and his fighters, which has left him living in luxury but still threatening to rearm. It discusses the government's attempts to quell unrest through a truce and the purchase of weapons, as well as the ongoing protests against oil companies like ChevronTexaco. The paragraph also highlights the government's and military's continued use of force to suppress dissent and the international response to threats against oil installations, which led to a temporary resolution but did not address the underlying issues of corruption and poverty.

20:10

🗳️ Political Corruption and the Fight for Change

The final paragraph addresses the political corruption in Nigeria, with the president establishing an anti-corruption commission targeting senior political figures. It contrasts this with the worsening living conditions of the Niger Delta's people and the government's lack of trust from the public. The paragraph also discusses the government's use of armed gangs during elections and the manipulation of electoral results. It ends with a reflection on the people's disillusionment with their government and the rise of demagogues like Asari, who promise change through violence.

Keywords

💡Niger Delta

The Niger Delta is a vast region in Nigeria rich in oil reserves, accounting for an estimated 3% of the world's oil. It is central to the video's theme as it is the source of the conflict between various factions over the control and benefits of the oil resources. The region's inhabitants are depicted as suffering from the environmental and social impacts of the oil industry, with little benefit from the wealth it generates.

💡Militia

A militia in this context refers to the armed groups, such as the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, that are fighting for a share of the region's oil resources. These groups are portrayed as a violent force in the struggle for control over oil revenues, highlighting the instability and lawlessness that has arisen from the competition for oil wealth.

💡Oil industry

The oil industry is the focus of the video, as it is the economic driver and source of conflict in the Niger Delta. It is depicted as a force that has enriched politicians and Western oil companies while leaving the local population in poverty. The industry is also shown to be the cause of environmental damage and a catalyst for the rise of armed groups.

💡Rebellion

Rebellion in the script refers to the resistance and uprising by the people of the Niger Delta against the oil industry and the government. It is a key concept that illustrates the growing discontent and the willingness of the people to fight for their rights and a fair share of the oil wealth.

💡Bunkering

Bunkering is the illegal practice of tapping oil from pipelines and transporting it to offshore tankers, often to neighboring African states or European ports. It is mentioned in the script as a significant issue, with as much as 10% of the Delta's oil output being stolen, highlighting the corruption and lack of governance in the region.

💡Corruption

Corruption is a recurring theme in the video, with the oil industry and government officials being accused of exploiting the Niger Delta's resources for personal gain. The script describes how corruption has led to a lack of basic services and infrastructure in oil-rich areas, despite the wealth generated by oil.

💡Asari Dokubo

Asari Dokubo is a leader of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, who is portrayed as a key figure in the rebellion against the oil industry and the government. His actions and threats to attack oil installations have international implications, affecting the global price of oil and leading to negotiations with the government.

💡Environmental impact

The environmental impact of the oil industry is a significant aspect of the video, with oil spills and pollution affecting the land and livelihoods of the Niger Delta's inhabitants. The script describes how these environmental issues have contributed to the resentment and conflict in the region.

💡Poverty

Poverty is a central issue in the video, illustrating the stark contrast between the wealth generated by the oil industry and the living conditions of the Niger Delta's people. Despite the region's oil wealth, many residents live on less than a dollar a day, highlighting the inequality and lack of benefit-sharing.

💡Human rights

Human rights abuses are mentioned in the script, particularly in the context of military actions against civilians during the conflict. The video describes instances of violence, rape, and displacement, emphasizing the suffering of the Niger Delta's people and the violation of their basic rights.

💡Anti-corruption commission

The establishment of an anti-corruption commission by the president is a late attempt to address the systemic corruption in the Niger Delta. It signifies a recognition of the problem and an effort to hold senior political figures accountable, although the script implies that the impact of this measure remains to be seen.

Highlights

The Niger Delta people's volunteer force, an outlaw militia, is part of the violent struggle for oil resources in the region.

A leader of the militia threatens to escalate the conflict to the capital, Abuja, over oil rights.

The brutal legacy of the oil industry in the Niger Delta has led to rebellion among the youth.

The Niger Delta holds an estimated 3% of the world's oil, often referred to as America's reserve fuel tank.

Despite oil wealth, most residents in the Niger Delta live in poverty on less than a dollar a day.

Unemployment and poverty have led to crime, with gangs extorting money and stealing oil.

Alhaji Asari Dokubo transformed his gang into a Liberation Army, demanding oil rights for the people.

Asari's militia has shown its capacity to attack oil installations, impacting global oil prices.

Political violence in the Niger Delta is a new development, with ethnic groups fighting for resource control.

Ken Saro-Wiwa led a peaceful campaign against Shell Oil Company, resulting in his execution under dubious charges.

The root cause of anger is the belief that oil companies have polluted the land while politicians benefit.

Oil spills, both accidental and deliberate, have devastated communities in the Niger Delta.

Shell insists it is not to blame for oil spills and claims to help communities where it operates.

Corruption and lack of transparency in oil contracts have led to widespread resentment among the people.

Bunkering, the illegal tapping of oil from pipelines, is rampant and contributes to the funding of rebellions.

Asari's campaign has gained support due to government and oil companies' actions, increasing unrest.

The government's response to the conflict included military strikes on Asari's camps, leading to civilian casualties.

An amnesty was reached to pardon Asari and his fighters, but he continues to threaten rearmament.

The government's use of armed gangs in elections and the lack of trust in political figures is highlighted.

Anti-corruption measures have been initiated targeting senior political figures, but corruption persists.

The people of the Niger Delta face worsening living conditions with little hope for improvement.

Transcripts

your ear your ear ear ear ear your ear

your ear your ear your ear it's a

village funeral and the gangs in town

the motorcycle boys belong to an outlaw

militia called the Niger Delta people's

volunteer force

it's one of many gangs waging a violent

battle for a slice of the region's

oil world a leader has threatened to

take the fight all the way to the

capital Abuja we horned the oil duties

are the people in Abuja not the other

way around a chief cannot come into my

house take my property sit down because

it's strong and then turn back to say oh

this is the actual T so that is it

his gang has come to the village of Oh

dagger II to pay their respects the

boat-shaped coffins contains a villager

killed in their recent battles of the

Nigerian Army it's supposed to be a time

of peace and they're supposed to have

disarmed

they brought assault rifles handguns and

machetes mixed with a heavy dose of

drugs of alcohol

in villages across the Niger Delta this

is the brutal legacy of an oil industry

that was supposed to save the nation

but the young men on the niger delta at

skill commonality gangs are now on

rebellion it's a conflict of fitness to

tear the nation apart and send a global

price of oil soaring

welcome to Nigeria's elder

the Niger Delta is a vast region of

creeks and rivers holding an estimated

3% of the world's oil it's been

described as America's reserve fuel tank

an escape valve to its dependence on

Middle East oil the huge exports have

enriched politicians and Western oil

companies but they've brought little bit

misery to Nigerian people even in the

oil capital Port Harcourt the

headquarters of the Western oil firms

most live in absolute poverty on less

than a dollar a day

reverently Kia Gavazzi ministers to some

of its poorest residents window

Alexander or in concept because we don't

feel the impact of it all we are in our

city the cally protocol deposited I look

at look at the whole city well I company

just there and look at the places just

behind the law electricity no water just

nothing his community is a shantytown

next to the Italian oil company our Jim

since February the authorities have been

demolishing the town clearing a new

access road to a luxury housing estate

adjacent to the slums

you see people without homes without any

place to stay that is where they are

comfy they put this there waterproof

down full eating them and then slipping

in on it in night

unemployed youths have found one way to

share the oil wealth crime

dozens of gangs in Port Harcourt extort

money from small businesses steal crude

oil from pipelines even charge

protection money from oil companies what

started as a criminal phenomenon is

turning political Alhaji oh sorry doc

uber was dismissed by many as an oil

thief and common gangster but he's

turned his so-called volunteer force

into a self-styled Liberation Army these

novellas that we use in degrading

Orleans

are we not ashamed of ourselves that our

fathers fought with me an Islamic

convert and professed admirer of a sama

bin Laden he's demanding the oil be

given back to the people the message of

the national stage will understand is

the message of power the message of the

people on the street in the Greeks that

will take over our oil installations

that will take over all pipelines that

is the message the Nigerian state will

understand that is the message we can't

compromise and child will understand

Azari has already shown he can attack

the oil companies where it hurts their

installations are scattered through

isolated creeks and rivers where

resentment of the oil industry ones too

Azari took us to a flow station that

used to be a major junction for oil

supplies

like all order flow station it belonged

to share but we started I'm turned it to

this way this one like this so this is

an example of our turn all the flow

station into when the time comes so he's

a very hard to shut these facilities

they're easy most of our people had

walked in the oil installations before

the Niger Delta has long been a center

of oil violence with disparate ethnic

groups fighting for resource control but

organized political violence is a new

development ten years ago the leader of

the larger Goni community Ken Sarah we

were led a peaceful campaign against the

Shell Oil Company the former dictator

Sani Abacha hanged him on trumped-up

charges Sarah we was successor a human

rights lawyer named leader Mitty

continues to preach a message of

peaceful resistance as the movement

committed to non-violence we are open to

dialogue here provider is genuine

transparent and honest so the admits

young Nigerians and now more attracted

to vile to now say this is a position

we've taken as alia many others are

saying today that this is a natural

successor to what Ken said because they

tried the nonviolent option and no one

listened to them in fact they were

killed before they are killed they

should be able to kill somebody so why

should they take the nonviolent process

the root cause of the anger is the same

as it always was the belief that oil

companies have polluted their land while

corrupt politicians have reaped the

benefits lemons village is surrounded by

oil spills some caused by sabotage some

by accident some by shells aging

infrastructure

the group that is there is trying to

push itself up you can see the thing is

reason with time it will develop into a

larger spiel and sometimes there will be

an explosion and in fact fire blows up

and that stage you find out that very

large actors of land will be engulfed

with fire thus what happens

an advanced shelter clean this up yeah

the committee has informed them I mean

this still has been on for the past over

a year they have been here to see it

happen

and they've done nothing about it shell

insists it's not to blame right battle

oh my is the company's former PR man now

promoted to managing director he says

shell does all it can to help

communities where it does business

I really do believe they should derive

much more than the current forget our

position that have been very very clear

and we campaign on that continuously

whenever we engage government that we

need to bring development to this region

but it is not our place to determine the

political solution to that the

government insists the people are

overjoyed with everything it's done for

them dr. Peter o dilly is the governor

of Rivers State the main oil-producing

Center in the Niger Delta the former

deputy governor under the Abacha regime

he's now a key ally of the civilian

president ELISA gana Basinger and rebels

in a stage-managed image of popularity

today his officials have sent

entertainers to celebrate new airings

for Europe

with time god I'm the hard work of all

stakeholders and we're happy that we're

looking up and things are going to

continue to look up but the tight

security sits oddly with his image as a

popular ruler people have now grown to a

situation that they do not even think

that government stands for them

the corruption that pervades the whole

place starts from the way the contracts

watered for all exploitation is not

transparent and then there seems to be

some sort of collusion between the oil

companies and those who are so in such a

situation nothing gets to the people

instead of the oil become in it bless

and now it comes across

it takes just a short helicopter ride to

see the staggering scale of oil

corruption these barges are openly

stealing tens of thousands of barrels of

oil every day

the practice is called bunkering

criminal gangs tap the oil straight from

the pipelines then transported to

offshore tankers found four neighboring

African states even European ports

it's believed as much as 10% of the

deltas oil output is stolen this way

and the government does almost nothing

to stop it

the Nigerian Navy is patrolling Denali

Iran territory waters where does this

tankers come from these big ships and

vessels where did he come from

the Nigerian Navy did not see them the

suit I mean the Nigerian Air Force did

not see them the so tiny

governor idly denies his administration

is involved in bunkering but the Ogoni

leader letter Mitty says police refused

outright to make arrests

I put them in mica personally proved to

where there was Bakken as I see them

this is not a class back as I you want

me to give you a statement CD bunkering

going home you have the evidence you

don't need me to tell you and that is it

bunkering has not only made hundreds of

millions of dollars for corrupt

politicians it's also funded as Sarris

rebellion

he admits his militia also helped

themselves to oil to pay for their

weapons

we took the oil and refined it and

started saving it why the government was

selling deaf well at the government

refine well at 43 naira per litre we

were selling alone at 15 IRA so

everybody got it was a sorry swear

everywhere you go to the Nigerian

authorities have tried hard to rein in a

sarees campaign last year he and his men

retreated into the jungle after repeated

clashes with a rival gang believed to

have been armed by the state government

the Nigerian military joined in

launching strikes on his twenty-one

jungle camps so this used to be our

office where just installed a VSAT so

that we can have uninterrupted and janet

has says they saw a piece of our

computer mr. hard drive yeah everything

was destroyed his men held out for nine

months even staging attacks inside the

state capital Port Harcourt we had

widespread support at that time people

who are not ready to reveal our

locations and we're moving up and down

the Army's deadliest attacks were on

villagers believed to be sheltering

asari Oh dagger II was bombed in

September two days after he left village

leaders claimed 20 people died 37 year

old blessed was among a group of women

who escaped into the jungle

she says government soldiers hunted them

down and raped them I still catch you

women angry inside you booth

so dad in Kentucky they don't want to

escape us you are a star soldier King

everybody did for the war you understand

even my brother with the children dead

is only me not blooming human rights

groups estimate hundreds of civilians

were killed in the nine-month conflict

but it wasn't the appalling civilian

casualties that ended the fighting it

was the threat to oil in September the

rebel leader el-hadji asari warned he

would attack the installations of

foreign oil companies the threats

spooked international markets and within

hours the price of oil shot to will

record $50 a barrel within days the

Nigerian government was calling for a

truce an agreement was soon reached to

pardon the sari and his fighters and to

buy back their weapons

the amnesty has left him virtually

untouchable

is now living in considerable style in a

fortified mansion in the center of Port

Harcourt but if it's an attempt to buy a

sari off it's not working he's

threatening to rearm unless the

government grants independence the niger

delta and the oil companies leave since

they are refused to repent what we are

demanding the minimum demand is share a

jeep chevron texaco

a so moving pull out and let us see

whether the Nigerian state can sustain

our pressure and and total my

generalization of our people in the

management of their own resources so you

want the old companies to leave yes the

Shaboom will be better follow Falls and

if I don't have a conscience if they

don't have then there will be part of

the movie of the unfolding crisis it was

ugly being involved the personal will be

involved that is the truth will not

leave them alone recent actions by the

government and oil companies have only

increased support for a sarees campaign

in March

villagers neighboring this chevron

texaco plant broke down its fence to

protest at the company's operations on

their land Nigerian soldiers based at

the plant open fire with tear gas then

Boris

father Kevin O Hara a Catholic priest

who investigated the shootings says one

protester was killed and many were

seriously injured four months before

that that March incident I had been

sending messages to ChevronTexaco

telling them that there's great anger

and tension and is that this thing is

going to explode after the soldiers

opened fire on the crowd they beat them

with rifle butts and held them at

gunpoint inside the chevron texaco plant

well you get that dr. Denby but you know

my department Nigerian soldiers provide

security at all the major oil plants

their wages topped up by generous

company allowances well let this be the

first and the last time the villagers

were left in no doubt what the soldiers

would do if they protest it again if it

happens again nobody we spare you

we are lucky that you were not short so

make sure nobody lost you back into

these premises anymore the end of Sonny

about his dictatorship six years ago has

had little effect on the excesses of the

military or on the impoverishment of the

people declare is that clear

you got glad people are getting poorer

now as they where maybe five six years

ago and I think it's a very sad

commentary on the situation that people

can compare their life now which what we

saw on the budget which we taught you

many wast that we can never experience

in reality the same political gangsters

continue to run the Delta

Oh Tilly won the 2003 elections with

figures that would have made Saddam

Hussein blush his electoral commission

reported a 96% majority with some

electorates recording a 100 percent

turnout and a 100 percent vote for the

ruling party the government in reversed

it is very well trusted by the people of

reversed it they're confident that will

stand for the interest all the time

we'll do what is right so you're

comfortable figures are correct there

was no falsification of election result

as a politician who's been on ground and

I've had seven elections I know that you

cannot play with figures and numbers if

you are not in absolute majority

you can't they'll mob you let a Missy

claims the government used armed gangs

to wipe out the opposition it's sort of

one I'm stronger intensity and struggle

you need to see from the times of the

primaries people already shooting guns

people are killing themselves belatedly

the central government has begun to act

it is with a heavy heart president of

Basinger set up an anti-corruption

commission targeting senior political

figures our fight against corruption

with the meaningless if it is

concentrated then the federal chair of

government while the states and local

governments wallow in corruption

meanwhile life continues to worsen for

the people of the Niger Delta at the end

of our visit to Port Harcourt the

bulldozers and their police escorts

moved in to demolish what was left of

this shantytown pastor Licio Sturge was

one of the first buildings to come

crashing down leaving him and the

families had been sheltering homeless

yet highborn are thought to be able to I

pour my story I do what next what can we

do look at all these people they are

kind on me I have no morning I have

nothing I need help

initial look at my two children

the children of the oil boom no longer

expect help from their governments or

the West it is demagogues like a sorry

who are winning their trust promising

that blood will win the more