Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that he once risked his life by entering a militant camp in the Niger Delta without any security escorts in a bid to restore peace to the region.
Speaking during a recent event, Jonathan recalled that the visit took place while he was serving as Vice President under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. According to him, despite warnings about the dangers involved, he chose to meet directly with militant leaders to convince them to embrace dialogue instead of violence.
Jonathan said he travelled into the camp without soldiers or armed security because he believed showing trust was the only way to gain the confidence of the militants. He explained that the decision was risky, but it eventually helped build the foundation for negotiations that led to the Federal Government’s Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.
The former president noted that the peace initiative significantly reduced attacks on oil facilities, kidnapping, and violence in the region, allowing oil production to recover and improving stability in the Niger Delta.
Jonathan stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved through sincere dialogue, mutual trust, and addressing the root causes of conflict rather than relying solely on military force. He urged leaders to always put the interest of the people first and remain committed to peaceful solutions during times of crisis.
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