I hope the federal government will cease all attacks and will not try to arrest anyone.

There has not been such a significant challenge to the federal government since the Nigerian civil war in the 1960s. This thing is getting out of hand.

They are trying to draw the military into a full-scale battle that will cause the destruction of towns and villages. When that happens, you will have 30 to 50 percent of the young men from these places joining MEND.

It was a very shrewd move because three hostages are easier to handle than nine, and while the release appears to show them making a concession, essentially they are in the same position, still holding hostages.

The issue is whether Obasanjo would want to talk to them. That is what the president ought to have done from the beginning. I don't see him changing his mind now.

Most of these militants received their first weapon from the ruling party.