The current
conflict in the Niger Delta arose in the early 1990s over tensions between
foreign oil corporations and a number of the
Niger Delta's minority ethnic groups who feel they are being exploited, particularly the
Ogoni and the
Ijaw. Ethnic and political unrest has continued throughout the 1990s despite the conversion to
democracy and the election of the
Obasanjo government in 1999. Competition for oil wealth has fueled violence between many
ethnic groups, causing the militarization of nearly the entire region by ethnic militia groups as well as
Nigerian military and police forces (notably the
Nigerian Mobile Police). From 2004, violence hit also oil industry with piracy and kidnappings. In 2009, a presidential amnesty program accompanied with support and training of ex-militants proved to be a success. Thus until 2011, victims of crimes were fearful of seeking justice for crimes committed against them because of a failure to prosecute those responsible for human rights abuses.