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.

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

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.

This has sparked serious loss of confidence in the government's capacity to protect the oil industry. These guys have taken out 10 percent of Nigeria's oil production without having any of their members killed or captured.