This
paper attempts to interrogate the origin, development and sustenance of the
culture of violence in the Niger Delta as reflected in the idea of the Generale.
These personalities emerged as a consequence of their affiliation to the
struggle for self-determination of the various ethnic groups especially the
Ijaws in the ‘Oil-rich’ region of the Nigerian State. It is observed that,
while the struggle was essentially for the benefit of the peoples, living in
undeveloped and environmentally polluted areas as a result of Nigerian
Government-Multi-National Oil Corporations’ partnership activities, the
‘fruits’ of the agitations are made more manifest in the lives of these few
individuals who ‘surrendered’ arms and ammunitions to the Nigerian State via
the Presidential Amnesty Programme which began in 2009. Thus, many young people
in an attempt to escape the harsh realities of life, see the ‘attainment of the
Generale status’, as the ‘best’ way
out of poverty. This was facilitated by their dependence on the ‘street life’
where access to guns and drugs, are more fundamental to their existence. The
paper recommends that, the machinery of the state at all levels, should provide
disincentives for youth against activities that would be detrimental to the
society through sports development, skills acquisition and vocational
development. More importantly, Generales should
imbibe the selfless attitude of the dramatis
persona of the struggle exemplified
in Isaac Boro, who is seen as the symbol of the Niger Delta fight for
self-determination. The study is a qualitative one hence, both Primary and
Secondary sources (Oral interviews and communications, as well as secondary
text) were used within a multi-disciplinary framework.
Keywords: Niger Delta, Amnesty, Violence, Militant, Generale.
- Ezuwobomude Emmanuel Eweke Ph.D.1 & Stanley Ebitare Boroh Ph.D2