I don't believe the focus should be on the united states but on Nigeria. If we (or more realistically our leaders) decide not to have the presence of American forces in the Niger Delta, then there will be no reason for any U.S troops deployment in the area.

I believe the government needs to sit down with the legislative arm, the NDDC, local leaders and the militia heads (including those among govt. officials) and to iron out whatever issues are involved in the crisis. On my part I think the only way out is to directly influence the lives of the millions of individuals living in the Niger Delta. This should be done first by ensuring that they live in comfortable surroundings and then provide them with the opportunity to be part of the exploration and exploitation process. Once they there is a relatively equitable prospect of not having to leave your homeland to become a lesser human being elsewhere, the rate of anger against the govt. and the expats will diminish and then development exercises can continue.

If we can deal with this problem with the most amount of sincerity especially from the govt. and the expats, then we can call the U.S bluff on their military offers but if not, we'll continue to feed off their military crumbs.