Nigeria should curb official corruption and reduce the tensions generated by ethnicism in the Niger Delta states if it wants Western help in fighting the growing threat of terrorism, Western countries have said.
Nigeria’s government last week requested the United States and other Western powers to help it fight against the rampant militants who have destabilised the oil producing Niger Delta.
Nigeria said it needs the West to provide help in technnological terms so that the militants become history.
Nigeria has been characterised by militant attacks especially on foreigners. The militants demand have been mainly for more visible benefit for the local population in Nigeria’s oil producing areas. In the last two months, two major kidnappings have disrupted production and affected world oil prices as militants pressed on with their demands for an equal share of the oil wealth.
Nigeria is the world’s eigth oil producer. However, the attacks continue to have adverse effects on the county’s oil production and safety as an investment destination.