Months of relative peace came to an end on Thursday 31^st August when an unknown number of gunmen ambushed a military convoy in the Ekeremor waterways area in Bayelsa State in Nigeria. The chairman of Central Zone of Ijaw Youth Council, Tare Porri, confirmed that the ambush resulted in the death of four soldiers and one civilian. Some reports have claimed that the gunmen stole the troops’ weapons and military gear. It is still unclear whether the attackers have been killed or are still at large.

The Niger Delta is the home of several armed groups such as the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) fighting for equal distribution of petroleum revenues with local residents. For the most part, most of the attacks have been on oil field and have not resulted in many casualties. Their cause speaks to many residents; many believe that the wealth from the oil industry should trickle down to the local levels. Despite being the biggest industry in the region, many of the people still live in poverty. Over the years, the national government has unsuccessfully attempted to help state governments to fight against these insurgent and terrorist groups. Also, the government has been trying to negotiate with the various militant groups, but they have only resulted in temporary ceasefires.

Bayelsa State, where the attack occurred, has one of the largest deposits of crude oil and natural gas in the country. Earlier in the year, state government officials warned armed groups in the region not to disrupt operations in oil firms. This warning came after some multinational oil companies chose to close operations as they feared the risk of being attacked by these militias. The local government fears that the increase in the number of closures will significantly impact the state as they are dependent on the oil industry. A special advisor to the governor on Oil and Gas believes that the closures may lead to a total breakdown of law and order.  He advised the inhabitants of the state to find peaceful ways to address their grievances.

This attack is especially worrisome as the assault comes just two months after the New Delta Avengers, on an offshoot of NDA, announced their decision to “shelve planned attacks on major oil facilities in the region from June 30, 2017.” Without the identity of the gunmen, it is unclear whether this attack is a resurgence of attacks by New Delta Avengers or other militias in the area or if it is a one-time event. At the end of the day though, the regional government must continue to communicate directly with these militant groups and invite them to the table while holding peace talks with Niger Delta communities. Furthermore, the local government must find a solution that will not result in only short-term peace, as it did last year.