Niger Delta – Resistance

Black Gold

Black Gold
Ed Kashi

Since oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956, over 400 billion dollars worth has been pumped out of these fertile grounds. The Delta, the third largest wetland in the world, has become the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria yet it remains the least developed area of the country. These images document daily life along the Niger Delta, its inhabitants and the conditions in which they live.

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  • Militants with MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) brandish their weapons in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

    Here they check a former Nigerian Army floating barracks that they had destroyed in March of 2006. Fourteen soldiers died in that attack, and due to acts like this by MEND, 25 percent of Nigeria's oil output has been deferred.

  • Francis Samuel, 30, is an IYC (Igaw Youth Council) community leader and also a leader of a local "cult" called the Agaba Boys.

    In 2001, he was attacked by government forces using machetes. Although he survived the brutal assault, his body bears extensive scars from the wounds. The government attempted to intimidate him and the local youth from fighting for control of the oil resources in their community.

  • Ogbaland is a tribal area of the Egi people and is comprised of 20 communities nearby each other. People gather in the streets with burning shoots and weapons.

    Ogbaland is a tribal area of the Egi people and is comprised of 20 communities nearby each other. People gather in the streets with burning shoots and weapons.

  • Deep in the Niger Delta swamps, in the Igaw village of Oporoza, armed militants with MEND make a show of arms in support of fallen comrades.

    Deep in the Niger Delta swamps, in the Igaw village of Oporoza, armed militants with MEND make a show of arms in support of fallen comrades.

  • A MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) militant wears a mask while traveling through Niger Delta waters.

    A MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) militant wears a mask while traveling through Niger Delta waters.

  • Armed MEND militants conceal their identities as they patrol the creeks of the Niger Delta by boat.

    Armed MEND militants conceal their identities as they patrol the creeks of the Niger Delta by boat.

  • In the Ijaw village of Oporoza, in the Delta State, MEND militants make a show of arms in support of thier fallen comrades deep in the swamps of the Niger Delta.

    In the Ijaw village of Oporoza, in the Delta State, MEND militants make a show of arms in support of thier fallen comrades deep in the swamps of the Niger Delta.

  • Patrick Oghogho, a 27-year-old laborer from Bayelsa State, lies in his hospital bed with third- and fourth-degree burns.

    He suffered these injuries as he slept in his house during the attack on Aker Camp slum of Port Harcourt.

  • Odiama is a town that was attacked and destroyed by the Nigerian military Joint Task Force as part of Operation Restore Hope in 2005.

    At least 17 people were killed and virtually all of the buildings and homes were burnt down or destroyed. The population had been nearly 15,000 and since the attack only 2500 residents have returned to start rebuilding their homes, businesses and lives. The attack was part of a campaign of retaliation and intimidation by the government security forces in response to attacks on oil facilities in the area. The town is now occupied by the military.

  • Children from Odiama sit amongst the ruins of their town. The Nigerian Joint Task Force attacked Odiama, destroying many homes and lives.

    Children from Odiama sit amongst the ruins of their town. The Nigerian Joint Task Force attacked Odiama, destroying many homes and lives.

  • In Nembe town, Bayelsa State gubornatorial candidate Chief Timipre Sylva holds a campaign event.

    Local chiefs, supporters and townsfolk come out for this rare political event. Members of the Joint Military Task Force, named Operation Restore Hope, watch over the political rally.

  • Preye Godswill, 27, was the owner of The Booze bar and restaurant, which was completely destroyed in this attack.

    Here she looks at photographs of happier times in her bar, which attracted expats as well as Nigerians.

  • Residents of Aker Camp, a slum of Port Harcourt, pick through the remains of their lives.

    One week ago this neighborhood was attacked and burned down by the Nigerian military after one of their soldiers was killed while trying to foil a kidnapping of an Italian expat at a local bar. This kind of brutal attack on innocent civilians by the military is a constant reminder of the lack of human rights in the Niger Delta. Residents, who are all poor, try to salvage anything they can find, but this community of 3000 was completely burned down in this military reprisal.

  • A woman rummages through the remains of Aker Camp after a military attack resulted in the destruction of the neighborhood.

    A woman rummages through the remains of Aker Camp after a military attack resulted in the destruction of the neighborhood.

  • In the morgue of a Warri hospital, nine MEND fighters that were recently killed in a military ambush are prepared to be taken to their villages in the creeks for burial.

    MEND militants had just negotiated the release of a Shell worker taken hostage. While on the way back through the creeks to deliver the worker to freedom, Nigerian military boats ambushed the group and killed all nine MEND members as well as the Shell worker.

  • In the Oporoza village, three of the nine MEND fighters that were killed in a military ambush are laid to rest.

    In the Oporoza village, three of the nine MEND fighters that were killed in a military ambush are laid to rest.

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Niger Delta – Resistance

Militants with MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) have cause Nigeria’s oil output to be deferred. Lack of human rights in Niger Delta is clear seeing brutal attacks on innocent civilians by military. Many different factors contribute to the violent resistance in Niger Delta.

Niger Delta – Resistance
Artist/Author: Ed Kashi

Militants with MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) have cause Nigeria’s oil output to be deferred. Lack of human rights in Niger Delta is clear seeing brutal attacks on innocent civilians by military. Many different factors contribute to the violent resistance in Niger Delta.