According to information found by the Research Directorate, the names Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF) and Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF) are cited interchangeably to indicate the same organization (Biafra Nigeria World News 4 Oct. 2004; see also AFP 8 Oct. 2004; ibid. 4 Oct. 2004; AP 28 Sept. 2004; Ocnus 14 Sept. 2004). The acronym NDPVF will be used in this Response to Information Request.

The NDPVF is "the militant youth wing of the INC [Ijaw National Congress]" (The News 26 Apr. 2000; see also IPS 4 Jan. 1999).

The Guardian indicates that the NDPVF is headed by Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo (5 Nov. 2004; see also AFP 2 Oct. 2004; AP 28 Sept. 2004; IRIN 10 Sept. 2004). One source indicated that Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, the leader of the NDPVF, is originally from Buguma (AFP 4 Oct. 2004), a town near Port Harcourt (ibid.; Radio France 3 Oct. 2004). According to an article published on the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) Website, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo became the leader of the youth wing of the INC in 2002 (5 Oct. 2004).

Older news reports from The News and from Inter Press Service (IPS) indicate that Mr. Bello Orubebe was the president and coordinator of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (The News 26 Apr. 2000; IPS 4 Jan. 1999).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 October 2004. "Nigeria: Rebel Group Wants Government Troops out of Oil-Rich Region." (FBIS-AFR-2004-1008 11 Oct. 2004/WNC)

_____. 4 October 2004. "Nigeria: Rival Niger Delta Militia Says 'Had Surrendered' Weapons." (FBIS-AFR-2004-1004 5 Oct. 2004/WNC)

_____. 2 October 2004. "Nigeria: Soldiers Blockade Returning Rebel Leader after Signing of Peace Deal." (FBIS-AFR-2004-1002 4 Oct. 2004/WNC)

Associated Press (AP). 28 September 2004. Dulue Mbaciiu. "Nigerian Oil Region Insurgents Declare Total Armed Struggle for Self Determination." (Dialog)

Biafra Nigeria World. 4 October 2004. Tony Eluemunor and Odudu Okpongete. "Carnival in P'Harcourt as Dokubo Returns." http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2004/oct/04/004.html [Accessed 10 Nov. 2004]

The Guardian [Lagos]. 5 November 2004. "Asari-Dokubo Alleges Murder of Three Group Members." http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article04 [Accessed 5 Nov. 2004]

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 10 September 2004. "Nigeria: Over 100 Killed in Month of Violence in Port Harcourt." http://www.irinnews.org/print.asp?ReportID=43130 [Accessed 8 Nov. 2004]

_____. n.d. "Nigeria: Un accord de paix a été conclu dans le delta du Niger mais combien de temps tiendra-t-il." http://www.irinnews.org/FrenchReport.asp?ReportID=5571&SelectRegion=Afrique_de_l'ouest&SelectCountry=Nigeria [Accessed 17 Nov. 2004]

Inter Press Service (IPS). 4 January 1999. Toye Olori. "Politics-Africa: Violence Threatens Civilian Rule in Nigeria." (NEXIS)

The News [Lagos]. 26 April 2000. Okafor Ofiebor. "N100 Million PTF Graft Divides Ijaw Leaders." (Africa News/Dialog)

Ocnus. 14 September 2004. "Africa: Rebellion in the Niger Delta." http://www.ocnus.net/cgi-bin/exec/view.cgi?archive=53&num=13916&printer=1 [Accessed 10 Nov. 2004]

Radio France. 3 October 2004. "L'actualité de la presse: l'Afrique en bref." http://www.radiofrance.fr/divers/thematiques/revuepresse/actu/index.php?numero=105051308 [Accessed 8 Nov. 2004]

Internet sites, including: 680News, Allafrica, Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Dialog, News Africa, Nigeria World, Vanguard.