THE anti-terrorist operatives deployed by the Federal Government have started combing parts of Port Harcourt in search of kidnappers
Currently, the operatives have been sighted near major entry points to the city as well as churches, the Port Harcourt Mosque, schools and supermarkets.
The Nigeria Police High Command had early last month, deployed anti-terrorist squads in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Lagos to forestall activities of terrorists in the country.
It also established new Mobile Police Squadrons in many parts of the country, bringing the number to 54.
The new commissioner in charge of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Balla Hassan, had told newsmen shortly after he resumed duties that the squad posted to the state was already in Port Harcourt.
Hassan said some of them would soon embark on further training to sharpen their skills.
But investigation by our correspondent showed that the operatives had been posted to all the high risk areas of the city just as kidnapping has abated during the last one week.
Spotted in new and well-starched riot police uniform, the operatives have a shoulder armband which distinguishes them from their other colleagues.
One of the distinctive features of their uniform is a red armband with a white inscription, �ATS� meaning, Anti Terrorist Squad.
They also brandish AK 47 riffles and other new and sophisticated guns carried by soldiers.
Over eight of the operatives were seen along the East/West Road towards the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Our correspondent reported that the clean-looking operatives flagged down every vehicle plying the road and carefully looked inside before waving them on.
However, some drivers were ordered to pull off the road for a thorough search, where the operatives suspected the occupants.
For instance, a vehicle with tinted glasses bearing the Rivers State Government House number plate which was apparently returning to Port Harcourt was ordered to pull off the road.
Apparently angry over the audacity of the policemen, some of the occupants of the vehicle, sought to know why they were being asked to stop.
Calmly but firmly, one of the operatives said, �Sorry, sir, we are here on an assignment. I don�t know who you are, but you must realise that nobody is above the law.
�We want to search this vehicle, sir. So please cooperate with us and clear your car.�
With these words, the driver immediately pulled up and two of the operatives started searching the car.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs. Rita Inom-Abey confirmed the report.
Abey said the operatives spotted along the East/West Roads and other entry points to Port Harcourt, were men of the ATS.
She also confirmed that the operatives had been posted to schools, churches and major supermarkets in the city.
She said, �The Anti-Terrorist Squad formed by the IGP are to fight cases of incessant kidnappings in the state. They have also been deployed in Lagos, Abuja and Kano.
�Right now in Port Harcourt, they have been deployed in churches, mosques, schools, supermarkets, airport and major roads. With their presence, we believe that cases of kidnappings will stop.�
But the Police Headquarters preferred to put a shroud of ambiguity over the operation and deployment of members of its Anti Terrorist Squad.
On Saturday evening, police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Agberebi Akpoebi, told our correspondent to disregard reports that the ATS unit was conducting operations in Port Harcourt or any other part of the country.
Akpoebi, an assistant Commissioner of Police, said no unit had been deployed for operations as they are still undergoing special training.
�Please listen to me. I am not aware of any operation by police anti-terrorist unit. Those in the anti-terrorist unit are still undergoing on-the-job training; they are not being deployed for any operation at this moment,� he said.
He said that except for the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, no police officer could state the definite date that members of the unit would be deployed in various states of the federation.
�I do not know when the deployments would begin; it is only the Inspector-General of Police that can tell you that. When you are training people in different aspects of a particular strategy, until the training is complete, you cannot deploy.
�So, you should not ask me about when members of the police anti-terrorist squad will be deployed. I don�t know,� Akpoebi stated.