INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

Crisis is a feature of every society and this exist in multiple forms and dimensions across the globe. In Nigeria, it is not a new phenomenon because the history of Nigeria is blighted by ferocious crisis before and after her independence. These crisis are of varying degrees, durations, and intensities, they are equally multi-dimensional and include historical animosities and colonial legacies over issues of ethnicity, religious, regional/state divisions, indigene/settler, fears of domination/marginalization, revenue allocation formular and more importantly struggles over resource control (Olusapo, 2013). To be specific, the Nigeria state have witnessed variants of ethno-religious, economic and political crises such as Kano Riot of 1953, Census Crisis of 1962, Action Group Crisis of 1962/63, Federal Election Crisis of 1964, Coups and Counter Coups, the Civil War of 1967-1970, June 12 political crisis of 1993, Niger-Delta militancy and Boko Haram crisis (Ajodo & Aju, 2014). To be exact, the dynamics and manifestations of Niger-Delta Militancy makes it peculiar given it rootedness in the exploration, production and control of crude oil which is the main stay of the Nigerian economy. As noted by Paki & Ebienfa (2013), the Niger-Delta region is the center of oil and gas production in Nigeria, accounting for about 80% of total Government Revenue, 95% of Foreign Exchange and over 80% of National Wealth. A delta as a term is used to describe an area cris- crossed by rivers, rivulets and creeks, which empty themselves into the sea. The Niger-Delta of Nigeria is among the richest deltas in the world. Other major deltas in the world are Amazon in Brazil, Orinoco in Venezuela, Mississippi in the U.S.A., Mahajan in Indonesia, Indus in Pakistan, Ganges in Bangladesh, Mekong in Vietna. The Niger-Delta which derives its name from the River Niger, is one of the world largest wetlands and Africa’s largest Delta covering some 70, 000km was formed by the accumulation of sedimentary deposits, transported by the Niger and Benue Rivers (Paki & Ebienfa, 2013).