The Joint Task Force on the Niger Delta has reorganised its operations in Rivers State just as its naval component on Saturday rescued 32 passengers from a sinking boat along the Bonny Channel.
Investigations from our correspondent showed that the task force had redeployed its officers and men in most of its command posts in the state.
During the week, there was massive movements of troops along the waterways and other parts of the state just as the activities of sea pirates and kidnappers have increased.
A source in Bonny had complained that the task force had withdrawn its men from the island in the face of the increasing activities of gunmen.
The source said that soon after over 30 armed men attacked a naval houseboat guarding a sensitive oil field, troops moved out of Bonny Township.
He said, �On June 30, there was a shoot-out between the JTF and one of the militant groups in the Niger Delta.
�After the attack, the Navy and the Army lost some men while it was claimed that the militant group equally lost some.
�Later that evening, the militant group again came into the island and dared the JTF to come out and attack them while asking non-indigenes and the troops to leave on or before July 16 or risk being beheaded.
�That night there was so much pandemonium as a result of their shooting and ranting.
�Due to this and following threat letters to some new generation banks, all the banks in the island evacuated their staff amidst an exodus of non-indigenes.�
Our correspondent learnt that there were unsuccessful attempts by an armed group, numbering 20, to raid some banks on July 14, but the navy immediately moved in and stopped them.
When contacted on the matter, the JTF�s spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa confirmed the redeployment of troops in all the units of the command.
Musa debunked claims that the task force withdrew its troops from the island but noted that the movement of troops in many parts of the state was a routine military exercise.
He said, �What happened was a routine military exercise. There is no need for the concentration of troops in one location, hence the need for rotation.�
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed that a police officer was killed when armed men invaded one of its stations in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew has also been declared in the local government area to prevent a break down of law and order.
Police Commissioner, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Julian Okpaleke, however, said the situation was under control.
The police chief said the gunmen failed in their attempt to break into the armoury of his station in Sagbama.
�We lost an inspector during the crossfire, but my men prevented them from gaining access to the armoury which was the target of the militants,� he said.