Political Economy of Militancy and the Increase in Criminality in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Retrospective View

Abstract

Militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta has not only hindered Nigeria’s socio-economic development and political stability, but also has created the conditions that altered existing social order in the area. This has increased instability, environmental devastation and disrupted social hierarchy in the area. The primary objective of the study was to establish the nexus between militancy and growth of criminality in Niger Delta and provide evidence of social class formation driven by proceeds of criminal activities. Political economy approach was utilized to explain capitalist relations, resource extraction and class conflict taking place in the area. It also identified the background to militancy and its metamorphosis from an agitation for socioeconomic justice to political economy construct. The study used the historical/descriptive research method with a sample population of 450 individuals drawn from the study population comprising the nine states in the Niger Delta. The study relied on primary and secondary data derived from semi structured questionnaires and text documents which were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. The study revealed the relationship between militancy and criminality in the Niger Delta region. The study concluded that there is a nexus between militancy, criminality, and environmental devastation in Niger Delta. It also identified crude oil theft as a source of economic activity fueling criminality. The study made recommend the need to engage oil- bearing communities directly as stakeholders in the proceeds of accruals from oil and gas revenue and design a bottom-top development blueprint for the area.