Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) said on Thursday, August 18, that nothing will stop its declaration of independence of the Republic of Niger Delta by October 1 this year.
This comes contrary to reports that the militants had accepted pleas to embrace negotiations with the federal government.
The threat as expectedly raised eyebrows in the country as many have wondered what would be the consequences, should the militants go ahead with the secession.
Here are five things that may likely happen if its done.
1. Buhari may declare State of Emergency
The civil war that seemed to have been avoided in March 2015 on the heels of former President Jonathan’s concession of defeat to retired General Muhammadu Buhari, is now looming large more than ever before.
This follows the emergency of militant groups with the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), most prominent of all.
The militants group have carried out acts of sabotage on the region’s oil blocs in an effort to cripple Nigeria’s economy, as their call for the restructuring of the nation has continue to fall under deaf ears.
However, should NDA move to declare independence on October 1, President Buhari may be forced to declare a state of emergency in the states of the Niger Delta and declare an all-out war on the Niger Delta until the militants are wiped off the face of the earth.
2. The Economy may be Grounded
Since the day crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity and quality in Oloibiri, present day Bayelsa state, the resource has been used to sustain the political administrative live wire of Nigeria.
But following claims of marginalization and problems with resource ownership and control, Niger Delta Avengers have carried out attacks on the region’s oil blocs in an effort to cripple Nigeria’s economy
The group who, by destroying half a million barrels in oil from the market, have catalysed not only the latest rally in oil, but now effectively hold Nigeria’s fate of the price of oil in their hands.
Nigeria’s economy could be grounded should the Niger Delta republic emerge.
Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has said that nothing will stop its declaration of independence of Republic of Niger Delta by October 1, 2016.
3. Mass Arrest of Leaders and Suspects in the Region
The planned Republic of Niger Delta could lead to the arrests of former president Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of the region.
Buhari may be forced to summon an emergency meeting of the council of state to declare the urgent need to arrest the former president, governors and leaders in the region and have them tried for treason.
New intelligence report has continued to link former President Goodluck Jonathan to the Niger Delta Avengers.
The new security report indicated that the federal government had launched an investigation on the possible involvement of Jonathan in the spate of bombings in the Niger Delta region that has crippled the country’s oil industry and affected power generation capabilities.
A splinter group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers had accused the ex-president of being one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta militants.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) also accused the ex-president of having ties with militants.
However, Jonathan denied the allegations, accusing MEND of plotting to assassinate him.
4. Republic of Niger Delta will Fire up Biafrexit
If the Niger Delta republic is declared, it could propel other agitating organisations like Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to do same.
The agitating organizations will look to take cue from their Niger Delta brothers and fight to ensure they also gain independence.
5. Military to declare New Operation
The Republic of Niger Delta will give rise to a new military operation.
The Nigerian Army would declare a new operation just like the Operation Lafiya Dole to combat any uprising. But where the federal government sees defeat, it could recourse to a national conference to determine the unity of the government.
