The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Flush Out 3, says it has increased patrol operations within and around Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to meet the challenges that the change in period of curfew would pose.
Also, there are reports that some of the hoodlums who fled the state capital at the beginning of the military operation in the city have started coming back following recent adjustment in the curfew period.
Almost immediately the state government announced the curfew period adjustment, the JTF had revealed plans to raise statewide security watch to cover for the space likely to be opened by the adjustment in curfew time.
In an interview with Saturday Tribune, the Brigade Commander of the 2 Amphibious Brigade, who is also the JTF commander, Brig.-Gen. Sarkin-Yaki Bello, said his task force would increase its patrol operation within the state.
He said, �The only thing required of us as law enforcement agencies is seeing that it has now been limited in time and in scope. Then we also emphasise and improve on our patrol between, let�s say, 6 pm and 12 midnight and even beyond.
�From the moment the curfew is in effect in the midnight, again we patrol and make sure that the curfew breakers are arrested and also dealt with in accordance with the law.�
But feelers from the city had it that the rumoured re-emergence of the hoodlums was as a result of the feeling that military presence in the city was dwindling, making the cultists, many of whom had been taking refuge in neighbouring states and the difficult to penetrate creeks of the state, to return.
According to a government official, there were reports that some of the elements who played various sordid roles in the last August carnage in Port Harcourt had returned because they observed that security measures were already being relaxed.
The source said, �It is not time yet to rest for the security agencies in the state.
�In fact, this is when their task is dearest because the boys have observed that security times are already relaxing.
�They have eyes among the people who give them update on what is going on. �They are coming back one after the other.