Nigeria has been faltering from ethnic discord, a result of a flawed system that has spelt neglect, poverty and agitations. Militancy and separatism are on the increase. Nigerian leaders have turned deaf ears to local and international warnings on her ills. Inaction may lead to a tragedy of an unimaginable proportion in the country.

"What is happening in Niger Delta is not being taken seriously and is very sad. It may actually end up being bigger little by little. If we are not careful, chances are that the 140 million Nigerians may end up like a Liberia or a Sierra Leone or a Somalia," Ribadu warned.

There are conflicting reports on the case of Filipina businesswoman Josiebeth Foroozan whom the Nigerian Police reported had been abducted in the southern oil city of Port Harcourt as she got out of her car on February 7, 2007. But her abduction has been denied by a Foreign Affairs official in Manila, Philippines.