Niger Delta: Security beefed up over militants’ regrouping

Tension is heightening in the Niger Delta, as indications have emerged that some former militants in the region are regrouping in the creeks.

Our correspondents, on Saturday, observed that security operatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy and the Police have beefed up security across the states in the Niger Delta.

While the rate of armed robbery and kidnapping shot up in region during and after the 2015 elections, security operatives have intensified efforts to contain the sudden upsurge in crime wave within the area.

In Delta State, one of our correspondents observed that since the recent aborted meeting of ex-militants in Burutu and Bomadi communities, palpable tension still envelopes the state.

Sources told SUNDAY PUNCH that the ex-militants, led by Government Ekpemukolo (aka Tompolo) had not relented in their anger over Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s loss to President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was reliably gathered that the former fighters had been meeting, in spite of all assurances that they are in support of President Buhari’s anti-graft war.

Insiders told one of our correspondents that the Tompolo-led ex-militants have been unhappy, particularly as President Buhari recently terminated the oil pipeline protection contract with the Federal Government.

However, Tompolo, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on the telephone, dismissed any sinister plans to unleash terror, saying the ex-militants’ meetings were aimed at supporting President Buhari.

Also, the tension in Cross River State seems to have heightened as security agencies are tackling ex-militants, especially those involved in serial kidnapping cases in Calabar, the state capital, and its environs.

Three unidentified ex-militants-turned-kidnappers were in the early hours of Saturday apprehended by security agencies in collaboration with local vigilance groups in the Calabar-South axis of the metropolis.

Confirming the arrest, the State Security Adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji, told one of our correspondents that those arrested had been handed over to the Police.

In Rivers State, it was observed that the routine stop-and-search by the Police has suddenly increased.

The stop-and-search operation is common on Ada George, Ikwerre Road and other strategic areas in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Police Command, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, told SUNDAY PUNCHthat the command was battle ready for any attacks by militants in the state.

“The Rivers State has since spread its dragnet and we are taking any intelligence that comes our way seriously. We are battle ready and members of the public should not be afraid,” he said.

In Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and their environs in Delta State, armed military men were seen in strategic places where they often stop suspicious persons for interrogation.

It was observed that at the head bridge of the River Niger, there were fierce-looking military men who looked battle ready.

The presence of the military men was said to be causing panic in the area.

Efforts by one of our correspondents to get comments from the military commandant in Warri proved abortive. But one of the military officers in the patrol team, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said they were acting on “instructions from above” to monitor any suspicious act capable of inciting war or breach of the law.