AMNESTY PROGRAMME AND PIPELINE VANDALISATION IN NIGERIA, 2011 - 2020

The Niger Delta region (heart of oil production in Nigeria) has been a breeding ground for militants for some years now because the discovery oil and its exploitation has ushered in a miserable, undisciplined, decrepit, and corrupt form of “petro-capitalism” which produces conflict accelerating factors. Devastated by the ecological costs of oil spillage and underdevelopment, the Niger Delta region has become a centrr of violence. Over the years, crude oil spillage through vandalisation is considered one of the major problems in Nigeria. In attempt to solve the crises, the Federal Government introduced several policies with the Amnesty Programme being te most recent policy. The study assessed the amnesty programme which is basically a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration to the Niger Delta militants and effect on national security and development. Materials for this paper has been drawn mainly from secondary sources found in liberties and research institutions in Nigeria and other resources available in the internet, local and international publications. Employing qualitative method and relying on secondary sources, relevant data were generated and analyzed using quantitiative descriptive method. Utilizing the theory of post-colonial state, the study argued that the amnesty programme to the Niger Delta militants was basically oriented towards enhancing the security situation in the region for the purose of increasing crude oil production; thereby, promoting national development. Based on the findings of the study, the major factors that caused and influence crude oil pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are: bad government, poor management, legal factors and environmental degradation. Keywords: Amnesty, Pipeline Vandalization, Militants, Ethnic Militias, Resource Control