SOLDIERS have tightened up security at its Port Harcourt Army Barracks code named Bori Camp. Unlike in the past when visitors could walk into offices in the Brigade headquarters, this time they are thoroughly frisked at the gate before being allowed in.
Meanwhile, the army PRO and Spokesman of the JTF in the state, Lieutenant Col Sagir Musa said the development had nothing to do with recent threat by militants in the region to attack military formations in the region. According to him, it is merely in conformity with military tradition round the world.
�We are just been alive to our responsibilities. World wide army formations are restricted areas with maximum alertness. That has been the tradition. If you see any fortification or alertness it is just that we are been alive to our duties not because of any threat.�
He dismissed the threat by the militants as mere words.
�I always say that the threats are mere words. No group of individuals can have the audacity to attack the Nigerian army or any military formation. If anybody or group tries to test the will of the Nigerian army, particularly the JTF flush 3, will face the music. We are always ever ready to contain this minor insurgence in the Niger Delta, particularly Rivers State. I am particular about the state because that is our area of responsibility.�
Continuing, he said it is not true that it was a time bomb that was detonated in one of the vehicles in the convoy of the NPA manager eastern zone on Monday night in the state capital. According to him, preliminary findings showed that it was dynamite. He said the assailants laid ambush for the vehicle.
And when they saw it they threw the dynamite into it.
He described the development as the new strategy of militants in the region to cause tension and panic.
He said as a security body they were monitoring the situation to ensure they nip it in the bud.
Meanwhile, at press time, a meeting of top security officers in the state with some stakeholders was going on at the army barracks.
On the part of the police, they divert vehicular traffic away from some of their stations as early as 7pm. In Mile One, once it is 7pm the portion of Ikwerre road in front of the station is closed to traffic. All vehicles go through other adjourning streets in the area.