Posted by By JAMIE DOMINICS The Sun Reporter, Washington DC on
Efforts by Nigeria to convince the international community of adequate security in the Niger Delta may have suffered a severe setback as the United States has ordered its nationals and other Western oil workers out of the volatile region.
Efforts by Nigeria to convince the international community of adequate security in the Niger Delta may have suffered a severe setback as the United States has ordered its nationals and other Western oil workers out of the volatile region.
The latest action from Washington comes after the expiration of a deadline by militant groups for all foreign nationals to leave the area.
The Federal Government had hoped to head off an exodus of foreigners by purchasing several sophisticated gun boats and increased military presence in Niger Delta, but the US administration said the efforts were not enough to prevent attacks on its citizens.
In a worldwide alert to all Americans, the State Department justified the decision because of what officials term as inadequate security from the Nigerian government.
"Security conditions in the Niger Delta region have continued to deteriorate. Armed local groups have attacked oil company facilities, resulting in several deaths. In this area, the threat to expatriate oil workers, of kidnapping for ransom or other objectives remains high", the statement stated.
Washington also accused some military personnel of aiding criminals, adding: "The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as persons in police and military uniforms can occur throughout the country".
The statement also asked American and foreign nationals to stay away from areas around Warri, saying, "Rival ethnic groups have clashed in the Niger Delta region around Warri. Senior al-Qaida leadership has expressed interest in overthrowing the government of Nigeria."
Recently, Washington also turned down a plea from Abuja to begin the deployment of marines in the area to provide security for several multinational oil companies. American government sources told Daily Sun that the marines were to be deployed to secure oil supplies to the U.S because of the instability of Middle East supplies. Sources said the delay in sending the marines is caused by what the administration calls "the low level intensity" of the crisis.
US sources said the government is unwilling to commit American troops to what could turn out to be long deployment without authorization from congress. Congress, on its part, is unwilling to support the deployment because of conflicting signals from Abuja on the rumoured third term agenda for President Olusegun Obasanjo.