There are indications that the series of attacks by militants on police stations in the Niger Delta is causing disquiet among policemen serving in the region.
Over the past few months, militants had attacked police stations in various locations in the Niger Delta, especially in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States. In the latest attack, hoodlums allegedly loyal to wanted Niger Delta militant, Ateke Tom, killed 12 persons in Port Harcourt in attacks on police stations and the Hotel Presidential on New Year day.
On Christmas day, gunmen suspected to be militants also invaded Akinama Police Station in Ahoada West Local Government of Rivers State and killed three policemen. Our correspondents gathered that the militants attacked the police stations in search of arms and ammunition and to also free their colleagues arrested for criminal activities.
Saturday Punch gathered that policemen were no longer enthusiastic to accept postings to riverine locations in the region, apparently to avoid direct confrontation with the militants. It was gathered that policemen deployed in the riverine areas, especially those prone to crises, had been begging their superiors to cancel such postings.
Those who were unable to change their postings, particularly senior police officers, operate from the cities by monitoring the security situations in the areas under their jurisdiction on the telephone. Investigations by Saturday Punch showed that they report at their stations during major events or during the visits of their superiors to the areas. They are also sighted in the areas when top government officials are visiting communities or establishments located under their jurisdiction.
Besides, policemen who were courageous to venture into the creeks are scared to put on their uniforms, preferring instead to be in plainclothes in order to conceal their identity. A visit by one of our correspondents to some riverine areas of the Niger Delta showed that many marine police stations had been looted and sacked by suspected militants.
Some of the police stations have been overgrown by weeds while some communities had converted abandoned police formations to other uses. Although policemen had been reporting for night shift, they had been taking extra precautions such as moving in groups fully armed.
Checkpoints are also being strengthened to check the influx of criminals, with the intense search of vehicles and their passengers. A police source told one of our correspondents that a major problem being exploited by the militants is the inadequate number of Armoured Personnel Carriers as well as outdated arms available to the police commands in the region.
The Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ibokette Iniobong, however, stated that the officers and men of the state command were well armed to confront criminals in the state. Also speaking, the chairman of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Bayelsa chapter, Chief James Jephthah, told Saturday Punch on Thursday that those attacking police stations were criminals as the state government had obtained a pledge from militants to keep the peace.
It was a mixed bag at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Abuja as some policemen who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity expressed divergent views on the matter.
While some said they would prefer to be posted to the Niger Delta because it was easier to tackle militants than armed robbers, others said it would be foolhardy to wish for such. One of the policemen, who spoke to our correspondent at the Department of Administration, Force Headquarters, Abuja, said the Federal Government had been treating the militants lightly, adding that the police could contain the situation if it was well equipped.
Another said, �We are not afraid of going to the area. Also, you must take into cognisance that the militants are not really after us; they are after the military. And you must also notice that the Joint Task Force combines military personnel from all the forces.�
In contrast, another policeman said they would prefer to remain in a peaceful state rather than to be posted to the Niger Delta �and be wasted like chickens.� Though he said it was a mark of honour to die gallantly, he, however, maintained that the only honour �we receive is to be buried by our colleagues and after that, our families are given promises that will not be fulfilled.�
When contacted, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, told our correspondent on Thursday that he was not aware that policemen were afraid to be posted to the region.